Olympic Swimmers Admit to Peeing in the Pool

It’s more common than you think

As casual viewers, we know that training and competing in the Olympics is bound to produce more than a few bodily fluids from world-class athletes. Sweat, for sure. Tears—of joy, of agony—almost certainly.

But according to swimmers themselves, there’s another bodily function that nature calls during a race. And they’re not above answering it.

“I’ve probably peed in every pool I’ve ever been in,” three-time U.S. Olympic medalist Lilly King told the Wall Street Journal.

Swimmer Zach Harting, who competed for the U.S. in the Tokyo Olympics, first relieved himself in the pool during his Alabama high school state championship. “Every time I stepped foot in a pool after that, I assumed it was going to happen.”

Why Does Swimming Make People Pee?

According to U.S. Masters Swimming, most open water swimmers pee in the water fairly regularly.

“For most open water swimmers, urinating is a routine part of a swim—sometimes several times. For all swimmers, there’s a possible reason you may have to pee more when you’re in the water, and it’s called ‘immersion diuresis.’ This happens whenever the body is immersed in water, and it occurs because cold water and submersion cause blood vessels in the extremities to constrict, which then triggers the need to urinate.”

Is It Against the Rules?

Nope. In fact, there’s no rule against peeing in the pool at the Olympics or any other swimming competition. As one swimmer put it, “It’s not like you can get caught. It just disappears.”

Of course, not everyone is comfortable with the idea of peeing in the pool. Some swimmers try to hold it until they can get out of the water, while others simply accept that it’s going to happen.

“It’s just a natural thing,” said one swimmer. “We’re all doing it.”

So, the next time you’re watching a swimming competition, don’t be surprised if you see a swimmer taking a leak. It’s more common than you think.