2024 Olympics: Men's triathlon postponed over Seine water quality concerns

PARIS (AP) — Olympic organizers are counting on sun and warm temperatures to improve the water quality of the Seine River enough for triathletes to swim in it.

Otherwise they may feel hot.

Concerns about Paris River Cleanliness The men’s triathlon was postponed Tuesday, with officials hoping the swimming portion of the race can go ahead soon in the long-polluted waterway after an expensive cleanup effort.

Organizers said they would try to hold the men’s triathlon on Wednesday instead. The women’s event is also scheduled for that day, but will not go ahead unless water tests show the water is fit for use. Levels of E. coli and other bacteriaFriday is also scheduled as a backup date.

However, storms or rain are expected from Tuesday night to Thursday, which could complicate rescheduling the trip as rain often causes bacteria levels to rise in the Seine River.

“It’s disappointing that there’s this negative aspect now with the delay, but I hope we can have a triathlon and I can fulfill this dream that I’ve had since I was a little kid,” said American triathlete Seth Ryder.

Water samples are taken 21-1/2 hours before decisions are made about the swim, leaving uncertainty about their accuracy on race day, Aurelie Merle, sports director for the Paris 2024 Olympics, told reporters on Tuesday.

Paris has spent 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion) to improve the water quality of the River Seine so that next week’s triathlon and marathon swimming race can be held in the famous river that runs through the city center. But bacteria levels have been in flux.

Organizers were asked to decide whether they preferred the aesthetics of triathlon over the interests of the athletes.

“We live in the 21st century where unfortunately there are much more weather events that are out of the control of the organizers,” Merle said. “We’ve seen how we’ve gone from heavy rain to extreme heat like today in the space of a few days. So it’s really hard to control how that affects the quality of the river.”

Paris has seen heavy rain. During the Olympics opening ceremony on Fridaywith rain continuing into Saturday. The swimming portion of the triathlon training events to familiarize the course on Sunday and Monday has been cancelled due to concerns about water quality.

Organizers He expressed his confidence In recent days, bacteria levels were expected to improve as the skies cleared and temperatures rose this week, but that apparently wasn’t enough to ensure the athletes’ safety. The sun’s ultraviolet rays can kill bacteria and lower their levels, The first part of the week was hot and sunny..

Waves crash along the banks of the Seine River in front of the Eiffel Tower during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Paris. As the Olympics continue in Paris, the water quality of the Seine River remains a major concern for officials. Triathlon event organizers canceled swimming practice Monday for a second day in a row due to poor water quality. Event organizers are hoping sunny weather will make swimming possible Tuesday when the triathlon begins. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

The sport’s governing body, the International Triathlon Union, its medical team, the International Olympic Committee and city officials met early Tuesday and decided to postpone the event.

Ryder, a triathlete, was running at 4 a.m. when the delay was announced. Another triathlete who was also running signaled for him to stop.

“We had a little talk in the dark, at four in the morning, in the middle of the street, and there was no one around,” Ryder said. “I went back to the room and then went back to bed.”

“The trend is improving,” said Paris Deputy Mayor Pierre Rabadin, but did not rule out further delays “if there is a problem tomorrow after the analysis results.”

Daily water quality tests measure levels of fecal E. coli bacteria. Water Safety Guidelines European Union 2006 Guidance Coliform bacteria levels range from “excellent” to “adequate.” Anything over 900 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters is not considered safe or “adequate.”

But experts stress that these numbers are merely guidelines used to assess risk. “There’s nothing magical about the 900 number,” said Dr. Nicole Iovine, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Florida.

One of the four test sites was below the maximum level for E. coli on Tuesday, said Merle of Paris 2024. Two other sites were just above the maximum and one was above it, she added, citing a range of 980 to 1,553.

High levels of E. coli bacteria in the water The presence of bacteria in the mouth can indicate contamination from sewage. Most strains are harmless and some live in the intestines of healthy people and animals. But others can be dangerous. Even a mouthful of contaminated water can lead to diarrhea, and the germs can cause illnesses such as urinary tract or intestinal infections.

Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo He swam publicly. On the river two weeks ago, with Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet. Data released last week shows E. coli levels at Bras-Marie Hospital reached 985 units per 100 milliliters that day, just above the maximum.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo swims in the Seine River Wednesday, July 17, 2024 in Paris. After months of anticipation, Anne Hidalgo swam in the Seine River, fulfilling a promise she made in January nine days before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

The men’s triathlon is now scheduled to start at 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday, which could make heat a factor as the races finish at the hottest part of the day. The World Triathlon Organization plans to provide ice and water stations along the course for athletes. The women’s race is scheduled to start at 8 a.m. as originally planned.

If the river is not safe to swim after the delay, that part of the race will be cancelled and only the cycling and running parts will go ahead. This happened last year at the European Championships when the triathlon format was changed due to water quality issues.

“It’s just another position of competition,” said ITU President Marisol Casado, rejecting the idea that the switch would be unfair to triathletes who excel in the water.

Other events scheduled to take place on the Seine include a mixed triathlon relay on Monday and women’s and men’s marathon swimming races on August 8 and 9. The marathon swimming races could be moved, if necessary, to the Vayres-sur-Marne Maritime Stadium in the greater Paris area, which already hosts rowing and canoeing events and can accommodate up to 15,000 spectators.

But it is a logistical challenge for triathlon to change the swimming locations since the routes are already set up for cycling and running.

“We’re sympathetic,” Merle said. “Let’s see how it goes.”