A scheduled swimming training session for the triathlon events at the 2024 Paris Olympics was canceled on Sunday due to increased pollution levels in the Seine River. The cancellation came after recent heavy rainfall, which has exacerbated pollution in the river. The event’s organizers, Paris 2024, decided to call off the training session as the river’s water quality did not meet the necessary standards for safe swimming.
French authorities have made significant investments, totaling €1.4 billion ($1.52 billion), to improve wastewater infrastructure and reduce sewage levels in the Seine. These efforts aim to make the river swimmable again, after over a century of swimming being prohibited due to pollution. Despite these efforts, the recent heavy rains have caused setbacks in achieving the desired water quality.
Pollution in Seine River Cancels Olympic Triathlon Training; Hopes for Improved Conditions By Race DayOrganizers expressed optimism that the weather forecast, which predicts sunshine and warmer temperatures in the coming days, would lead to improvements in the river’s pollution levels before the triathlon events begin. The men’s race is scheduled to start on Tuesday, and organizers are hopeful that the conditions will become suitable for competition by then.
The decision to cancel the training was based on water quality tests conducted on Saturday. World Triathlon officials, who collaborated with Paris authorities to assess the river’s condition, found that the water did not meet the necessary safety standards. Both Paris 2024 and World Triathlon emphasized their commitment to prioritizing the health and safety of the athletes.
In a show of confidence in the river’s safety, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo took a swim in the Seine before the Olympics. City officials, including Pierre Rabadan, the deputy mayor for sports, reassured the public that measures are in place to manage pollution and prevent overflows. They remain hopeful that the river will meet the required standards in time for the Olympic events.