July 30th 2024.
The organizers of the Paris 2024 triathlon have announced that the event may have to be changed to a duathlon if the water quality in the River Seine does not improve. This decision comes after it was discovered that the current state of the Seine is not suitable for swimming. The men's triathlon, which was supposed to take place today, has been postponed until Wednesday due to high levels of pollution in the river.
The recent wet weather in Paris has been blamed for the decline in water quality. World Triathlon has stated that events such as rain are beyond their control and can affect the water quality, making it unsafe for athletes to compete. World Triathlon president Marisol Casado has confirmed that if the situation does not improve, specifically the levels of e-coli bacteria, the event will continue as a duathlon without the swimming leg.
As of now, the men's and women's triathlon events are scheduled for Wednesday, with a contingency day on Friday. However, for the swimming portion to take place, the water quality must meet acceptable levels. In a statement released on Tuesday morning, World Triathlon announced that the men's triathlon, which was supposed to take place on July 30th at 8am, has been postponed until July 31st at 10:45am. The women's triathlon will still take place on July 31st at 8am, as long as the water quality tests comply with World Triathlon's standards. There is also a contingency day reserved for August 2nd.
The pollution levels in the Seine are being closely monitored, and the organizers have made it clear that the health and safety of the athletes is their top priority. Recent water tests have shown that the water quality is not up to par, which is why the event had to be postponed. The organizers also reiterated that they have no control over natural events, such as rain, which can affect the water quality. Despite efforts to improve the water quality, some areas of the swim course still exceed the acceptable limits.
For updates on the Paris 2024 Olympics, follow The Agency's live blog. As part of the legacy of the Games, Paris authorities have promised to make the Seine swimmable and have invested 1.4 billion euros in wastewater infrastructure to prevent sewage and minimize spillage into the river. The organizers remain hopeful that the water quality will improve, and the triathlon events can take place as planned.
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