Men’s Triathlon in Paris 2024 Delayed Over Seine Water Quality

Men’s individual triathlon at Paris 2024 faced postponement on Tuesday due to concerns over water quality in the River Seine. Tests revealed that E coli levels exceeded acceptable limits with readings ranging from 980 to 1,553 colony-forming units (cfu) per 100ml, surpassing the European safe limit of 900 cfu per 100ml. Rainfall on the day of the opening ceremony and adverse weather conditions contributed to the heightened pollution.

The uncertainty surrounding the rescheduling of the event persists, with organizers now estimating only a 60% chance that both the men’s triathlon and women’s races will proceed on Wednesday. Final water tests will take place early on Wednesday morning to determine if the conditions are safe for swimming. If the water quality improves, the women’s race will start at 07:00 BST and the rescheduled men’s race at 09:45 BST.

However, forecasts predict storms and rain that could further complicate matters. If the water conditions do not improve by Friday, the organizers could replace the triathlon with a duathlon, featuring only the cycling and running segments. This change could disrupt athletes’ training, as they have not specifically prepared for a duathlon format. Paris chose the Seine for the triathlon to showcase its investment in river cleanup, a key legacy of the Games.

Despite substantial efforts and a €1.4 billion investment to improve water quality, the river’s condition remains problematic. Critics argue that the aesthetic choice to use the Seine has led to significant issues, highlighting broader challenges in maintaining safe swimming environments globally.