In a joint statement, Paris 2024 organizers and World Triathlon announced the cancellation of Monday’s swimming training session for the upcoming Olympic triathlon events, citing inadequate water quality in the Seine River. The statement revealed that “water quality levels… do not present sufficient guarantees” to proceed with the session.
The triathlon, which is set to be the first Olympic event held in the Seine, is followed by marathon swimming scheduled for the second week of the Games. Sunday’s training session was also cancelled due to similar concerns over pollution levels.
The men’s individual triathlon is slated to start on Tuesday at 8:00 am (0600 GMT), with the women’s individual event scheduled for Wednesday. Organizers are closely monitoring the water quality, which fluctuates significantly depending on rainfall in and around Paris.
Recent heavy downpours, like those experienced during Friday’s opening ceremony, have overwhelmed the city’s sewage system, causing discharges of untreated effluent into the Seine. This has raised significant concerns about the safety and hygiene of the river for the athletes.
Despite the setbacks, Paris 2024 organizers and World Triathlon remain optimistic. They expressed confidence that the water quality would improve before Tuesday’s competition, based on favorable weather forecasts. The French capital has seen a return to sunny weather since Sunday morning, following heavy rains on Friday and Saturday.
Due to an exceptionally wet spring and early summer, the Seine has struggled with water quality issues, consistently failing tests until early July. Levels of E.coli bacteria, an indicator of faecal contamination, have been reported to be up to ten times higher than acceptable limits.
The unpredictability of the Seine’s water quality has led organizers to consider contingency plans. Paris 2024 organizers have the authority to delay the outdoor swimming events by several days if necessary.
As a last resort, they may cancel the swimming leg of the triathlon entirely and relocate the marathon swimming events to Vaires-sur-Marne, a site on the Marne river east of Paris.
Over the past decade, French authorities have invested approximately 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion) in efforts to clean up the Seine. These investments were part of a broader initiative to prepare the river for the Olympic Games and ensure it met international safety standards.
In a symbolic gesture of confidence in the river’s readiness, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and Paris 2024 chief organizer Tony Estanguet swam in the Seine on July 17. Their participation aimed to showcase the progress made in improving the river’s water quality and readiness for the Olympics.
The persistent issue of water quality in the Seine remains a significant concern for both athletes and organizers. The situation underscores the broader environmental challenges faced by cities hosting large international events. As the countdown to the triathlon events continues, all eyes are on the weather and its impact on the Seine’s water quality, with hopes that conditions will improve in time for the competitions.
