Paris Olympics Triathlon Training Canceled Due to Seine River Pollution
The inaugural training session for triathletes at the Paris Olympics was abruptly canceled on Sunday due to concerns over water quality in the River Seine. Following a meeting and water quality tests, organizers from Paris 2024 and World Triathlon jointly decided to scrap the swimming portion of the orientation.
Despite earlier tests in mid-July indicating the Seine’s suitability for swimming, doubts lingered about its fitness for competition. “Paris 2024 and World Triathlon reiterate that the priority is the health of the athletes,” the statement emphasized. “The analysis carried out yesterday in the Seine showed water quality levels that… do not present sufficient guarantees to allow the event to take place.”
Organizers attributed the poor water quality to recent rainfall, which can flush untreated sewage into the river. In the event of substandard water quality, a “Plan B” is in place to postpone the events or relocate the marathon swimming to Vaires-sur-Marne on the Marne river.
The cancellation of the training session highlights the ongoing challenges in ensuring the cleanliness of the Seine for the Olympics. In July 2022, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and Paris 2024 chief organizer Tony Estanguet swam in the river to demonstrate its improved water quality. However, the recent pollution incident raises concerns about the river’s ability to meet the standards required for Olympic competition.
Organizers remain confident that water quality will improve before the triathlon competition begins on July 30. They are closely monitoring the situation and will make a decision on any necessary adjustments in due course.
