Training for Olympic triathletes in Paris was cancelled for the second consecutive day on Monday due to pollution in the River Seine. Sunday’s ‘familiarisation’ session had already been called off for the same reason.
Paris 2024 and World Triathlon issued a statement on Monday indicating that water quality tests revealed the water was still below acceptable standards. The organisations emphasised that the “health of the athletes” is their priority.
The men’s triathlon is scheduled to start on Tuesday. If the water quality does not improve by race day, the events have contingency days on 1 and 2 August. Should the water quality remain unsuitable, the swimming leg will be dropped, turning the triathlon into a duathlon with only biking and running legs.
While tests earlier in July showed the River Seine was clean enough for swimming, heavy rain on Friday and Saturday has worsened water quality. The statement noted that rain on 26 and 27 July was responsible for the current pollution levels.
“Given the weather forecast for the next 36 hours, Paris 2024 and World Triathlon are confident that water quality will return to below limits before the start of the triathlon competitions on 30 July,” the statement added.
Significant rainfall can lead to untreated sewage entering the river. However, the statement also mentioned that summer conditions have previously improved water quality in the Seine.
If necessary, both open water 10km swimming events on 8 and 9 August may be relocated to Vaires-sur-Marne on the Marne River, east of Paris. Although the swimming leg of the triathlon familiarisation was due to take place early Monday morning, the bike and running training will proceed as planned.
Source ~ BBC
NNEOMA UDENSI
Follow us on:
