Olympics: Men's triathlon postponed due to poor water quality in Seine
The men's triathlon competition at the Paris Olympics, which should have been held on Tuesday morning, has been postponed by at least a day due to poor water quality in the Seine. “The priority is the health of the athletes,” the organisers said.
Due to rainfall over the weekend, water quality in the Seine has deteriorated. Triathlon training sessions in the river were cancelled on Sunday and Monday.
Representatives of the World Triathlon federation, the International Olympic Committee, the French meteorological agency, the City of Paris and the prefecture of the Île-de-France region examined the latest water samples at 3.30 on Tuesday morning. The tests revealed water quality levels that did not provide sufficient guarantees to allow the event to go ahead.
“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,” the organisers said.
The men’s triathlon was scheduled to start at 8.00 on Tuesday and has been postponed to Wednesday at 10.45. The start of the women's triathlon for now remains unchanged at 8.00 on Wednesday.
The results of new water tests will reveal whether the races will be able to take place on Wednesday. A contingency day remains in place for 2 August.
Belgium has two men and two women competing in the triathlon: Marten Van Riel, Jelle Geens, Jolien Vermeylen and Claire Michel.
The scene of the postponed men's triathlon at the Paris Olympics, 30 July 2024 © BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOBS
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