Olympic triathletes dove into the Seine River for the mixed relay event on Monday following confirmation from organizers that bacteria levels in the historically polluted Paris waterway were within acceptable limits.
The decision to host the swimming segments of the triathlons and marathon swimming events in the Seine marked a significant milestone. Due to its toxicity, swimming in the river had been prohibited since 1923 except for rare exceptions.
After a meeting on Sunday night, representatives from World Triathlon, the International Olympic Committee, Paris Games organizers, and relevant authorities reviewed the water tests. The results showed an improvement in water quality at the triathlon site, meeting the standards set by World Triathlon by Monday morning, as stated in a release.
Germany secured the gold medal in a thrilling sprint finish during the team relay on Monday, with the United States earning silver and Great Britain taking home bronze.
The decision to proceed with the event and allow swims in the Seine came after Belgium’s Olympic committee announced their withdrawal from the mixed relay triathlon due to an athlete falling ill after swimming in the river. Several other triathletes also reported illnesses following the races, though the exact cause remains uncertain.
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Paris Deputy Mayor Pierre Rabadan addressed concerns about the water quality and defended the decision to host swimming events in the Seine. He emphasized that daily water samples were taken to ensure compliance with European regulations.
Paris invested $1.5 billion in infrastructure upgrades to clean up the river, including the construction of a basin to capture rainwater and prevent wastewater from entering the river, sewer system renovations, and enhancements to wastewater treatment facilities.
Despite challenges with elevated bacteria levels due to intermittent heavy rains, organizers expressed confidence that the combination of warm temperatures and UV radiation would help eliminate germs prior to each swim event in the Seine.
Athletes competed in the men’s and women’s triathlons last Wednesday, with the men’s race delayed a day due to water quality concerns. The elevated bacteria levels led to cancellations of swimming training sessions for the relay event.
American triathlete Taylor Spivey highlighted the stress caused by the uncertainty surrounding the water quality and race logistics. Her teammate, Morgan Pearson, echoed her sentiments about the challenges faced by athletes and fans.
Participants reassured the public that the water quality on Monday was comparable to previous races, with Brazilian triathlete Arnold Djenyfer noting no significant differences.
Paris officials advised against premature judgments, noting that illnesses were also reported among athletes who did not swim in the Seine. The city remained focused on maintaining water quality standards and athlete well-being.
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Triathletes who fell ill in the days following competition expressed uncertainty about the cause, with speculations ranging from food poisoning to water-related issues. The collective experience was challenging but ultimately rewarding for many athletes.
Regular water quality tests monitored fecal bacteria levels, including E. coli, with established guidelines ensuring safety for competition. The triathlon mixed relay involved four-person teams with equal representation from both genders, each completing swimming, cycling, and running segments.
