Paris Olympics: River Seine Water Quality Forces Men’s Triathlon Postponement

Photo Courtesy: Andrea Masini / NOC San Marino / Deepbluemedia

Paris Olympics: River Seine Water Quality Forces Men’s Triathlon Postponement

The Olympic men’s triathlon has been postponed a day due to water quality in the River Seine, the Paris Olympics announced on Tuesday.

The race was due to take place on Tuesday but it has been moved to a 10:45 a.m. start time on Wednesday, to occur after the women’s race at 8 a.m., which is as scheduled.

The decision was made in the early morning hours in Paris on Tuesday, in consultation with the latest weather information and testing results of the water. Bacterial levels have remained high in the River Seine due to heavy rains on July 26 and 27. There is a slight chance of thunderstorms overnight in Paris.

World Triathlon released the following statement:

Considering the latest weather information, it has been decided to schedule the men’s triathlon event on 31 July at 10h45. The women’s triathlon is due to take place the same day at 8am. Both triathlons are subject to the forthcoming water tests complying with the established World Triathlon thresholds for swimming. The original contingency day also remains in place for August 2, for further considerations.

Paris 2024 and World Triathlon reiterate that their priority is the health of the athletes. The tests carried out in the Seine today revealed water quality levels that did not provide sufficient guarantees to allow the event to be held.

Unfortunately, meteorological events beyond our control, such as the rain which fell over Paris on 26 and 27 July, can alter water quality and compel us to reschedule the event for health reasons. Despite the improvement on the water quality levels in the last hours, the readings at some points of the swim course are still above the acceptable limits.

We will provide the athletes who are due to take part in the men’s triathlon event with all information on its postponement, as well as real-time updates on the situation. Information regarding tickets and broadcast of the events on Wednesday July 31 will be shared in the next hours.

The organizing committee in Paris canceled training sessions in the River Seine for triathlon swimmers. It has a contingency plan for marathon swimming, with the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium that hosts rowing events able to handle the open water events Aug. 8 and 9. But the triathlon has no such backup plan and will revert to a duathlon if the Seine is not usable.

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