Men's Olympic Triathlon Postponed Due to Bacteria in Seine
- Men's Olympic Triathlon in Paris was postponed due to unsafe water quality in the River Seine.
- Officials detected high levels of feces and bacteria in the river, leading to the delay of the event.
- The competition was rescheduled from Tuesday to Wednesday.
In a significant setback for the Paris 2024 Olympics, the men's triathlon swimming leg has been postponed due to unsafe levels of bacteria in the River Seine. Originally scheduled for Tuesday, the race will now take place on Wednesday at 9:45 AM UK time, following the women's event at 7 AM. Concerns have been raised about the impact of rising temperatures, expected to reach 35°C, on athletes' performance during the concluding 10km run. The decision to postpone the event comes despite Paris investing over $1.5 billion to clean the Seine and prevent pollution, particularly during rain. However, following a torrential downpour during the Olympic Opening Ceremony, water quality tests revealed dangerously high levels of E. Coli and intestinal enterococci, prompting the World Triathlon governing body to act. This situation has drawn criticism, as officials had been aware of potential water quality issues for months. Local residents and Olympic officials have expressed frustration over the situation, with Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo attempting to alleviate concerns by swimming in the polluted waters weeks prior. The postponement has already led to the cancellation of two days of training for athletes, who now await improved water conditions before the men's triathlon can proceed. As the world watches, the focus shifts to whether nature will cooperate in time for the event to be rescheduled, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the Paris 2024 organizers.