Seine Water Quality Under Scrutiny Ahead of Paris 2024 Triathlon Events

As heavy rainfall in Paris raises concerns about water quality, officials are set to conduct tests on the Seine River at 4 a.m. on Sunday. The river is crucial for the swimming segment of the upcoming triathlon events, scheduled for next week. The mixed relay is slated for Monday, August 5, while the men's and women's races will occur on Tuesday and Wednesday. However, recent downpours have heightened pollution levels, prompting scrutiny of the water's safety. Despite Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo's demonstration of the river's safety through a swim last week, recent test results indicated that E. coli levels exceeded the European safety limit of 900 colony-forming units per 100 millilitres. Monitoring group Eau de Paris reported these findings, leading to a cautious approach as water quality will be assessed on the morning of each race. Paris 2024 organizers remain optimistic that the triathlon will proceed as planned, although they acknowledge the potential impact of the recent rainfall. In light of the weather conditions, the familiarization session for athletes scheduled for Sunday morning may be canceled. British Triathlon performance director Mike Cavendish expressed confidence in the situation, noting improved weather forecasts for the upcoming days. Meanwhile, the men's street competition faced a last-minute postponement due to unsafe conditions at the Place de la Concorde, with rescheduling now set for Monday. Athletes have voiced mixed feelings about the course design, with some suggesting improvements could enhance the experience. Nonetheless, competitors are prepared to adapt to the challenges presented by the weather and course conditions.