Vaast's historic victory marks him as the first Olympic champion from the French Pacific island, a feat celebrated by both his local supporters and the broader French community. The event on the Seine was a testament to his remarkable journey and the blend of cultures he represents

The closing ceremony, which follows the unprecedented complexity of the opening ceremony along the River Seine, will be a shorter and more traditional affair at France's national stadium. Expectations are high for the show, which aims to wrap up the Games on a memorable note

This marks the fifth time that water quality issues have led to the cancellation of a swim familiarisation session during these Games. Additionally, the men's race, originally scheduled for earlier in the week, has been postponed by a day

The race, which had faced significant delays due to concerns over water quality, finally got underway after a series of logistical hurdles and environmental challenges. The triathletes began their swim near the iconic Pont Alexandre III, a bridge that spans the celebrated Parisian waterway

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"

Adding to the challenges, a sudden and unseasonable downpour drenched the ceremony's participants and audience alike. Performers, athletes, and spectators, clad in plastic ponchos, braved the adverse weather as the show continued unabated

The final touches are being applied to the venues scattered across the City of Light, with thousands of athletes and officials arriving as the weather improves after a period of rain. Notably, the quality of the River Seine, which will be central to the opening ceremony and host outdoor swimming events, has seen significant improvement since early July

Despite these efforts, the city continues to grapple with a century-old sewer network that struggles to manage the volume of stormwater during heavy rains. This inadequacy results in periodic discharges of untreated sewage directly into the River Seine, compromising its water quality

Recent data collected by water charity Surfrider in mid-May revealed E. coli levels surpassing four times the authorized limit, raising alarms about the presence of untreated human waste in the waterway

The inauguration of the reservoir marks a significant milestone in Paris' efforts to address concerns over water pollution, particularly highlighted by the cancellation of swimming test events last year due to poor water quality

The bold decision to host the opening ceremony on the river signifies a departure from tradition, making it the first time in Olympic history that the spectacle won't be confined to the athletics stadium