The men’s triathlon at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games has been postponed after water quality tests in the Seine revealed levels unsafe for the event. Initially set for Tuesday at 8 a.m., the race is rescheduled for Wednesday at 10:45 a.m., following the women’s triathlon. This change is contingent on further water tests meeting World Triathlon standards.
Olympic officials attributed the water quality issues to heavy rains
Olympic officials attributed the water quality issues to heavy rains on July 26 and 27, which compromised the Seine’s condition. Despite recent improvements, certain swim course areas remain above acceptable limits, leading to the postponement for health reasons.
“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,” officials stated early Tuesday. They assured that further updates on tickets and event broadcasts would be provided soon.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo previously swam in the Seine on July 17 to showcase its readiness for the Olympics, despite ongoing concerns about water quality. This demonstration came after numerous failed tests and a previous postponement from June due to unhealthy water conditions.
E. coli levels surged to 10,000 CFU per milliliter on June 18
During heavy rains, sewage overflow can significantly impact the Seine. For example, E. coli levels surged to 10,000 CFU per milliliter on June 18, exceeding safety limits by over ten times.
Paris City Hall reported that in the last week of June, the water met European swimming standards for four days but never met U.S. standards.
While Olympic organizers initially claimed there would be “no plan B,” contingency plans were disclosed on July 5. These include possibly using the Marne River for open-water swimming, delaying the triathlon, or eliminating the swimming portion if necessary.
The rescheduling highlights ongoing challenges in ensuring the Seine’s water quality for the Olympic events, emphasizing the city’s efforts to improve its ecological state.