Paris, September 01, 2024, The Europe Today: The organizers of the 2024 Paralympics in Paris have postponed all scheduled triathlon events by 24 hours due to a decline in the water quality of the River Seine. The swimming segment of the triathlon was originally set to take place in the river on Sunday, September 1. However, recent tests have shown that the water quality, impacted by recent rainstorms, no longer meets the standards required for safe competition.
France’s capital city invested €1.4 billion ($1.5 billion) in upgrading its sewage and water treatment facilities to prepare the Seine for events at both the Paris Olympics and Paralympics. Swimming in the Seine had been prohibited for nearly a century due to pollution concerns, but the city’s significant investment aimed to make the river safe for athletic events.
In a joint statement, Paris 2024 and World Triathlon announced the decision to delay the triathlon events. “Following a meeting held on September 1 at 3:30 a.m., attended by representatives of World Triathlon, Paris 2024, and the relevant French authorities involved in monitoring the conditions of the Seine and the weather, the decision has been taken to postpone the Para-triathlon competitions,” the statement read.
The statement further explained, “The latest tests show a decrease in water quality in the river following the rain episodes over the last two days. As a result, the water quality at the competition venue on Sunday, September 1, is not suitable for swimming and above the threshold established by World Triathlon.”
All 11 Para-triathlon medal events have now been rescheduled for Monday, September 2, contingent on water quality levels meeting the required standards. Organizers have emphasized that the health and safety of the athletes remain their top priority.
Heavy rainstorms on Friday and Saturday contributed to the deterioration of the water quality, as wastewater and runoff flowed into the river, leading to elevated levels of bacteria, including E. Coli.
Initially, the 11 para-triathlon medal events were condensed into one day, Sunday, due to weather concerns, with September 2 and 3 set as backup days. The triathlon events feature a 750-meter swim in the Seine, a 20-kilometer cycle along the Champs-Elysées, Avenue Montaigne, and Pont des Invalides, followed by a five-kilometer run to the Quai d’Orsay, finishing at Pont Alexandre III.
This is not the first time the Seine’s water quality has impacted athletic events. During the recent Olympic Games, both triathlon and marathon swimming events faced similar challenges, with the men’s triathlon postponed and training sessions adjusted due to spikes in bacteria levels. Some Olympic triathletes reported falling ill after swimming in the Seine, although it remains unclear whether the river water was directly responsible.
Paris 2024 and World Triathlon remain committed to ensuring that all athletes can compete in safe and fair conditions, and are closely monitoring the situation as the rescheduled events approach.
