A Team USA triathlete, Seth Rider, has raised eyebrows with his unconventional approach to preparing for the Olympics. Rider disclosed to reporters on July 27 that he intentionally avoided washing his hands after using the bathroom to increase his exposure to E. coli, in anticipation of swimming in the River Seine during the upcoming competition.
Rider justified his unorthodox method by stating that he aimed to raise his E. coli threshold, citing his previous experience of swimming in the Seine without falling ill during a triathlon trial last year. He claimed that such practices were supported by scientific evidence, suggesting that small exposures to E. coli in daily life could help condition his body for the challenges ahead.
