Open Water Test Race In Paris Cancelled Due To Poor Water Quality
The test race at the open water venue for the Paris Olympics on the River Seine has been cancelled because of poor water quality.
Races in the Seine, a 10-kilometer for women and for men as part of the World Aquatics Open Water Swimming World Cup 2023, were scheduled for this weekend.
The women’s race on Saturday was postponed to Sunday after heavy rains and runoff meant the Seine failed minimum safety standards in a pre-race examination on Friday.
However, the event was cancelled as World Aquatics released a statement, saying:
“Following recent above-average rainfall in Paris, the water quality in the Seine has remained below acceptable standards for safeguarding swimmers’ health.
“Consequently, World Aquatics, in consultation with public health authorities and event delivery partners, has cancelled the Open Water Swimming World Cup planned for this weekend.
“’World Aquatics is disappointed that water quality in the Seine has resulted in the cancellation of the World Aquatics Open Water Swimming World Cup, but the health of our athletes must always be our top priority,’” said World Aquatics President Husain Al-Musallam.
“World Aquatics understands that further infrastructure projects will be completed to significantly improve water quality in the Seine in the lead-up to next year’s Olympic Games.
“World Aquatics remains excited at the prospect of city-centre Olympic racing for the world’s best open water swimmers next summer. Based on this weekend, it is clear that further work is needed with Paris 2024 and local authorities to ensure robust contingency plans are in place for next year.”