Paris Olympics: World Aquatics Cancel Marathon Swimming Training Due To Poor Water Quality

Photo Courtesy: Andrea Masini / NOC San Marino / Deepbluemedia

Paris Olympics: World Aquatics Cancel Marathon Swimming Training Due To Poor Water Quality

Open water swimming at Paris 2024 is coming under ever-increasing scrutiny after World Aquatics cancelled a training session in the River Seine due to water quality concerns.

While, E. coli levels were acceptable, the levels of the Enterrococci bacteria exceeded World Aquatics’ maximum thresholds.

The women’s and men’s 10k races are scheduled to take place on Thursday 8 and Friday 9 August races at Pont Alexandre III but preparations have been beset with difficulties ever since the test event was cancelled on this day last year because of the water quality in the River Seine.

Belgium’s squad for the triathlon mixed relay was forced to withdraw from Monday’s competition after team member Claire Michel became sick after swimming in the river during the women’s triathlon competition. Belgian media have reported that Michel was hospitalized and diagnosed with E. coli after competing in the Seine, which has come under scrutiny for its poor conditions.

World Aquatics said in a statemtent:

“PARIS—Earlier today, World Aquatics made the decision to cancel the 6 August Marathon Swimming familiarisation due to water quality concerns. The athlete training session was due to take place from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., but following a 4:00 a.m. coordination meeting, the decision was taken by the governing body in collaboration with Paris 2024.

“The water quality review showed E. coli levels ranged from 326 to 517 (considered “very good” to “good”) at the four collection points taken on 5 August between 5:00 and 6:00 a.m.

“However, Enterococci levels exceeded World Aquatics maximum thresholds during the morning review. The latest Enterococci samples (taken between 12:30 and 13:20 on 4 August) showed levels exceeding the maximum acceptable World Aquatics thresholds.

“Laboratory analysis of the Seine’s Enterococci levels for 5 August was available at 11:00 a.m. today. These most recent Enterococci results demonstrate an improvement in the Seine’s water quality, but one of the four tests still did not meet acceptable World Aquatics water quality standards.

“A second familiarisation swimming session at the Pont Alexandre III competition venue is scheduled for 7 August from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. A water quality review session will be held at 4:00 a.m. on 7 August, where World Aquatics will decide whether the familiarisation session for 7 August can be held.

“With a favourable weather forecast and forward-looking analysis, World Aquatics and Paris 2024 remain confident that the Marathon Swimming competitions on 8 and 9 August will proceed as planned.

“World Aquatics decisions on water quality for the Marathon Swimming events at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are made in consultation with World Aquatics Technical Delegates, World Aquatics Medical Delegates, Paris 2024 Organising Committee, Météo France, DRIEAT, the City of Paris, and the Prefecture of the Île-de-France Region which carried out the water quality tests.”

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