Concerns about the water quality in the Seine River have led to the postponement of the men’s triathlon at the Paris Olympics. Organizers are hoping to reschedule the race for Wednesday, but the event will only go ahead if water tests show acceptable levels of E. coli and other bacteria. The women’s triathlon is also scheduled for Wednesday, but both events are contingent upon the water meeting safety standards. Friday is also being considered as a backup date.
The decision comes after a significant cleanup effort and assurances from organizers and city officials that water quality would improve. However, persistent bacteria levels have forced the postponement, raising concerns about the safety of the athletes. The delay also comes amid a forecast of storms and rain from Tuesday night through Thursday, which could further complicate rescheduling efforts. Rain typically causes bacteria levels in the Seine to rise.
The postponement follows a meeting earlier Tuesday that included World Triathlon, its medical team, the International Olympic Committee, and city officials. While acknowledging improvements in water quality, organizers emphasized the priority of athlete safety and cited readings above acceptable limits at some points of the swim course. Paris Deputy Mayor Pierre Rabadan confirmed that the trend is improving but that the necessary threshold has not yet been reached.
The Seine River, a prominent feature of the Paris cityscape, has been the subject of a 1.4 billion euro ($1.5 billion) cleanup project to make it suitable for swimming events. This project included the construction of a basin to capture excess rainwater, renovations to sewer infrastructure, and upgrades to wastewater treatment plants.
The men’s triathlon is now scheduled to start at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, potentially increasing the heat factor as the event might finish during the hottest part of the day. The women’s race remains scheduled for 8 a.m. as originally planned.
The decision to postpone the triathlon highlights the ongoing challenge of ensuring safe water conditions in the Seine. Despite significant investment and efforts, the river’s bacteria levels remain in flux, raising questions about the long-term viability of holding aquatic events in the iconic waterway.
