Triathlon swim training scrapped because of pollution

Pollution in the River Seine has forced the cancellation of Sunday’s proposed swimming training for Olympic triathletes in Paris.

A joint statement from Paris 2024 and World Triathlon said that tests had shown the water quality was below an acceptable standard.

After tests in July, the River Seine was deemed to be clean enough for swimming but heavy rain in the French capital over the past 48 hours has seen the quality diminish.

“The priority is the health of the athletes,” the statement read.

“The tests carried out in the Seine [on Saturday] revealed water quality levels that in the view of the international federation, World Triathlon, did not provide sufficient guarantees to allow the event to be held.

“Given the weather forecast for the next 48 hours, Paris 2024 and World Triathlon are confident that water quality will return to below limits before the start for of the triathlon competitions [on 30 July].”

Significant rainfall can lead to untreated sewage being washed into the river but the statement added: “As observed in July, with summer conditions (more sunshine, higher temperatures, prolonged absence of rain) water quality in the Seine has improved significantly.”

Should the water quality not reach the required standard on race day, the triathlon events have two contingency days, 1 and 2 August, built into the programme.

But If the water quality is not deemed suitable on those days, the swimming leg of the triathlon will be dropped and it will become duathlon.

The open water swimming can move to Vaires-sur-Marne, on the Marne river east of Paris, if it needs to.

The swimming leg of the triathlon familiarisation had been due to take place at 07:00 BST. The bike and running training went ahead as planned.