The Olympic men’s triathlon scheduled to take place in the River Seine was postponed due to unhealthy pollution levels discovered during last-minute water quality tests. Organisers decided to delay the event by 24 hours after heavy rain in Paris caused excessive pollution levels. The priority was ensuring the health of the athletes, leading to the postponement of the men’s race. Despite previous cancellations of training sessions due to unsafe pollution levels, organisers were optimistic that conditions would improve in time for the race on Tuesday.
Athletes expressed anger and disappointment over the last-minute delay of the men’s triathlon, which was rescheduled to take place immediately after the women’s race on Wednesday. Concerns were raised about the viability of holding the races on Wednesday due to potential storms forecasted for the evening. The uncertainty surrounding the weather and its impact on water quality in the Seine added to the challenges faced by event organisers and athletes.
The delay of the Olympic men’s triathlon highlights the ongoing struggle to maintain water quality in the Seine despite significant investments in cleanup efforts totaling 1.4 billion euros over the past decade. Efforts to clean up the river have been hampered by heavy rainfall overwhelming the city’s drainage and sewage systems, resulting in untreated effluent being released into the waterway. Despite improvements in water quality earlier in July, high levels of E.Coli bacteria have been detected, posing health risks to athletes.
The outcome of the rescheduled men’s triathlon remains uncertain, with top contenders from Tokyo 2020 set to compete. Organisers have built flexibility into the schedule to accommodate delays by several days or even consider turning the triathlon into a duathlon by canceling the swimming leg. The Seine is slated to host more Olympic events, including the Triathlon mixed relay and marathon swimming, prompting concerns about water quality and potential alternative locations for these competitions.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has been actively promoting the cleanliness of the Seine, even swimming in the river to demonstrate its suitability for public use. Plans to open public bathing areas in the Seine for Parisians next year reflect efforts to reclaim the river as a recreational space after decades of pollution. The delay of the men’s triathlon serves as a reminder of the challenges of maintaining water quality in urban waterways and the impact on major sporting events.
