Do Swimmers Pee In The Pool, Olympians Share Their Insights

Swimming is often viewed as a sport with minimal regulations. The basic guidelines are simple: avoid running on the deck, refrain from diving in shallow areas, and, ideally, resist the urge to pee in the pool. However, the truth is quite different. One of the less glamorous aspects of the Olympic Games is that urinating in the pool is a common practice among swimmers.

Swimmer Kate Douglass commented, “Everybody’s doing it more than you think,” while Bobby Finke added, “The people who tell the truth and the liars. So everybody pees in the pool.”

Jessica Long , an American para swimmer, explained, “There’s no time for me to go pee regularly. So yes. It’s a thing we all do.” This revelation quickly went viral, sparking a wide-ranging debate online. Reactions varied, with some people empathizing with the swimmers, while others expressed disapproval.

One user shared, “My son is 2 and gets out of the pool to pee,” while another reacted with disbelief, saying, “Everybody?! What?! Are we 5 years old here!”


Another commenter remarked, “It takes 20 mins and usually a helper or two to put on their suits .. of course they pee in the pool lol,” while a critic added, “Why is this still happening at the professional level? That’s just disgusting. Equip the facilities properly and everyone needs to use the damn bathroom.”

The revelations didn’t end there. Two-time gold medalist Lily King shared her experience, telling The Wall Street Journal, “I’ve probably peed in every single pool I’ve swam in. That’s just how it goes.” Other Olympians supported these claims. Jake Mitchell, who competed in Tokyo, noted, “I always have to pee because I’m so hydrated.” Katie Hoff, a three-time Olympic medalist, added, “It sounds so gross to outsiders, but because there is so much chlorine, you don’t even think about it.”

Is It Safe To Pee In The Pool?
For those unfamiliar, swimming pools are typically treated with chemicals like chlorine, which help manage human debris such as hair, dead skin, and urine. Chlorine also combats algae and protects athletes from potentially harmful compounds and waterborne illnesses , according to CNBC.

Nevertheless, this does not endorse the practice of urinating in the pool. Increased levels of debris necessitate higher amounts of chlorine, which can potentially irritate the eyes and skin.