Pollution in the River Seine has led to the cancellation of the planned swim training for Olympic triathletes in Paris. According to a joint statement from Paris 2024 and World Triathlon, recent water quality tests indicated that the river’s condition was below acceptable standards for swimming.
This decision comes after heavy rain in the French capital, which degraded the water quality. Earlier tests in July had deemed the Seine clean enough for swimming. However, the recent weather has caused concerns for the health and safety of the athletes.
The statement emphasized, “The priority is the health of the athletes.” It explained that the tests conducted on Saturday revealed water quality levels that did not meet the necessary standards to proceed with the training. The authorities are optimistic that the water quality will improve in the coming days, before the triathlon competitions scheduled for July 30.
Should the water quality remain subpar, the event has contingency plans for August 1 and 2. If the conditions are still not suitable, the swimming portion of the triathlon will be removed, converting the event into a duathlon. There is also an option to relocate the swimming events to Vaires-sur-Marne, a site east of Paris.
The triathlon’s bike and running training proceeded as planned despite the cancellation of the swim training. The situation highlights the challenges of hosting outdoor water events, especially in urban settings where pollution can fluctuate with weather conditions.
