Dirty Seine River Forces Olympic Organizers to Cancel Triathlon Swim Training Again
PARIS — In a troubling turn of events, Olympic organizers have once again canceled triathlon swim training due to alarming pollution levels in the Seine River. This marks the second consecutive day that athletes have been unable to train in the waterway, raising concerns about the upcoming events. Despite these setbacks, officials remain optimistic that the medal competitions will proceed as scheduled later this week.
In a joint statement, Paris 2024 and World Triathlon emphasized that "the priority is the health of the athletes." The cancellation comes in the wake of heavy rainfall in Paris on July 26 and 27, which has significantly impacted the water quality. The downpours have led to a spike in E.coli bacteria levels, a situation that has been exacerbated by a particularly wet spring in the region.
France has invested over $1.5 billion in efforts to ensure the Seine is suitable for the triathlon and marathon swimming events. However, the river has consistently failed water-quality tests until earlier this month, raising questions about the effectiveness of these measures. The men's individual triathlon is set to kick off on Tuesday at 8:00 a.m. local time, followed by the women's event on Wednesday.
U.S. triathlete Seth Rider has voiced concerns about the conditions, advising fellow athletes to be cautious when preparing for the swim in the polluted waters. The E.coli bacteria, often linked to rainfall, poses a significant health risk, prompting organizers to consider various contingency plans. One option includes delaying the outdoor swimming events by a day, while the last resort would be to cancel the swimming leg altogether. Additionally, marathon swimming could potentially be relocated to a river east of Paris.
On Monday, the Seine was bustling with activity as various boats and watercraft were deployed to monitor the water quality. Observers from the Pont Alexandre III bridge witnessed teams using chemistry-beaker-style cups to collect samples from the river. Inflatable dinghies, marked with the Paris 2024 logo, navigated around race buoys, while jet skis zipped across the water, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
As the countdown to the Olympic events continues, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and health of the athletes. With the world watching, organizers are determined to find a solution that allows the triathlon events to proceed as planned, despite the challenges posed by the Seine's pollution.