The International Olympic Committee announced that the men’s triathlon event scheduled for Tuesday has been delayed due to concerns over the water quality in the Seine River. This decision was made after high levels of E. coli were detected in the river.
The delay comes despite previous assurances that the Seine River would be safe for participants. The men’s triathlon event has been rescheduled for Wednesday, while the women’s triathlon event, already planned for Wednesday, will still take place.
Mrsiol Casado, president of World Triathlon, expressed disappointment with the decision but remains optimistic that the event will proceed as planned on Wednesday. Aurélie Merle, executive director of Sports for Paris 2024, explained that the postponement was a result of multiple river tests revealing unsafe pollution levels, possibly due to recent rain in the area.
RELATED STORY | Will the Seine River be safe to swim in for the Paris Olympics?
Additional tests will be conducted early Wednesday morning to confirm if the river is safe for athletes. Merle explained that the improving weather conditions are expected to support better water quality for the event on Wednesday.
Despite being off-limits for swimming for over a century due to pollution, efforts have been made by the government to prepare the Seine for the Olympics, including significant investments in infrastructure improvements. Despite this setback, the triathlon, which comprises swimming, cycling, and running, will go ahead as scheduled.
