Olympian drink pool water?

Question

I was watching the Olympics and i couldn't help but notice BEFORE ever meet starts the olympian would go scoop some of the pool water into their mouths and swoosh it around and then spit it back into the pool. Why would they do that? and is it clean?

Answer 1

I suggest that the general public never do this. Pool water contains chlorine and this can lead to, I guess, chlorine toxicity if you ingest the pool water enough.

It is akin to having your kidneys shut down because you drink too much sea water.

Answer 2

Well I think is so that they get used to the water.

Answer 3

I suppose it would be to get used to it. When swimming, you have to open your mouth at some point to take a breath...water is going to get in there. As for sanitation, there are so many chemicals in a pool that mouth germs wouldn't bother anything.