Moesha Johnson Races to Silver in Open Water at Paris 2024

Moesha Johnson made waves at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games by snatching a silver medal in the women’s 10-kilometer marathon swim held in the iconic River Seine.

Despite leading the race for a significant portion, Johnson was ultimately surpassed by open water swimming star, Sharon van Rouwendaal, who surged ahead in a thrilling finish.

“It’s gonna take a while to sink in,” Johnson shared after the race, reflecting on the intense competition. During the second last lap, she knew she was in a battle for medals, having formed a breakaway trio with van Rouwendaal and Ginevra Taddeucci.

The water quality was a hot topic leading up to the event, with concerns about the Seine’s cleanliness overshadowing the excitement of the Olympics. Heavy rainfall had made the river flow faster than usual, adding an additional challenge for the swimmers.

Johnson described the race as incredibly tactical, explaining, “There was a lot of things that you could obviously use to your advantage.” The swimmers leaned against the north bank of the Seine to navigate the currents effectively.

Though Johnson initially took the lead, she had to fend off van Rouwendaal’s fierce determination. halfway through the race, after a well-timed attack, Johnson reclaimed the lead briefly.

However, it was under the historic Pont des Invalides where the tides turned. Van Rouwendaal used the strong current to her advantage, passing Johnson just as they approached the finish line.

Despite the disappointment of missing gold, Johnson celebrated her silver medal, remarking that after all the challenges, including the unpredictable water conditions, winning any medal was a huge success.

With the crowd cheering from the banks of the Seine, the atmosphere contributed to an unforgettable experience for all the athletes involved.