Paris Olympic triathlon training canceled over Seine pollution
Olympic Games organizers have canceled the first triathlon training session due to heavy rainfall in recent days. However, organizers are "confident" that water quality will improve before the triathlon competitions on July 30.
8:49 AM EDT, July 28, 2024
The organizers report that the first triathlon training session at the Olympic Games in Paris has been canceled. The decision was made because of the pollution of the Seine.
"After a meeting on water quality and conducting tests, a joint decision was made to cancel the swimming portion of the orientation triathlon," reads Paris 2024 and World Triathlon.
During tests in mid-July, it was already determined that the water in the Seine was not clean enough for swimming. There were still doubts about whether the competition could be held.
No guarantee on water quality
"Paris 2024 and World Triathlon emphasize that the health of athletes is a priority. The analysis conducted yesterday in the Seine showed that the level of water quality does not provide sufficient guarantees for the event to take place, " reads the statement.
Organizers blame recent rains for the poor water quality. However, they assure that the water quality will improve enough for the triathlon competition to start on July 30. If this does not happen, a "Plan B" is in place.
In that case, the competition may be postponed by a few days or completely moved to Vaires-sur-Marne, on the Marne River east of Paris.
