Triathlon Training Session Canceled Due to Poor Water Quality in Seine

The inaugural triathlon training session in the Seine was abruptly canceled on Sunday morning due to concerns over water quality, leaving athletes anxious as they await updates ahead of the men's race scheduled for Tuesday. Heavy rainfall in Paris since the opening ceremony has raised doubts about the viability of Monday's final familiarization session, with a decision on its status expected at 4 AM local time. If this session is also called off, triathletes will miss the opportunity to practice in the Seine before their competition. In a joint statement, Paris 2024 and World Triathlon emphasized that the health of the athletes remains their top priority. Following a meeting involving various stakeholders, including Météo France and local health authorities, the decision was made to cancel the swim leg of the familiarization session planned for July 28. However, the running and cycling familiarization events will proceed as scheduled. Despite the cancellations, there is cautious optimism that the races will still occur as planned. Organizers have noted that water quality typically returns to acceptable levels approximately 36 hours after rainfall ceases. The women’s race is set for Wednesday, and preparations continue in hopes of a timely event. Swimming in the Seine has been prohibited for over a century, but significant investments have been made since 2015 to improve the river's cleanliness ahead of the Olympics. These efforts include constructing an underground water storage basin and upgrading wastewater treatment facilities to ensure a cleaner environment for both athletes and residents.