The Men’s Triathlon at the Paris Olympics has been postponed due to poor water quality in the River Seine.
In what is an embarrassing development for the Games’ organisers, it was announced the event that was scheduled for this morning will now take place tomorrow.
A joint statement from Paris 2024 and World Triathlon read: “Following a meeting on water quality held on 30 July at 3.30am attended by Paris 2024, representatives of World Triathlon and their Technical and Medical Delegates, the International Olympic Committee, Météo France, the City of Paris and the Prefecture of the Île-de-France Region involved in carrying out water quality tests, Paris 2024 and World Triathlon has decided to postpone the men’s triathlon event which was due to be held on 30 July at 8am.
“Considering the latest weather information, it has been decided to schedule the men’s triathlon event on 31 July at 10h45. The women’s triathlon is due to take place the same day at 8am. Both triathlons are subject to the forthcoming water tests complying with the established World Triathlon thresholds for swimming. A contingency day remains in place for 2 August.
— World Triathlon (@worldtriathlon) July 30, 2024
“Paris 2024 and World Triathlon reiterate that their priority is the health of the athletes. The tests carried out in the Seine today revealed water quality levels that did not provide sufficient guarantees to allow the event to be held.
“Unfortunately, meteorological events beyond our control, such as the rain which fell over Paris on 26 and 27 July, can alter water quality and compel us to reschedule the event for health reasons. Despite the improvement of water quality levels over the last hours, the readings at some points of the swim course are still above the acceptable limits.”
Organisers were confident yesterday the event – in which Britain’s Alex Yee is one of the favourites for gold – would go ahead but it seems the rain that struck during the opening ceremony is still causing problems.
And while tomorrow is the new date in the calendar, thunderstorms are due in Paris tonight which may cause further issues.
