Due to pollution, training for the Paris Olympics in the Seine River has been cancelled for the second day

Last Saturday, heavy rain fell in Paris, which led to the pollution of the Seine River.

Swimming training was cancelled on Sunday due to river pollution and the unsuitability of the water for training for the players, the same reason that led to the cancellation of training on Monday.

A statement issued on Monday by the organizers of Paris 2024 and the International Triathlon Union said that tests showed that water quality was still below acceptable levels and that the two organizations wanted to emphasize that the priority was the health of the athletes.

“Tests carried out in the Seine on Sunday revealed water quality levels that, in the view of the ITU, did not provide sufficient guarantees to allow the event to take place, due to the rain that fell in Paris on 26 and 27 July,” the statement from Paris 2024 and the International Triathlon Union added.

The men’s triathlon is scheduled to start on Tuesday, and if water quality is not up to par on race day, the triathlon has two backup days – August 1 and 2 – built into the programme.

If the water quality is not suitable on those days, the swimming phase of the triathlon will be cancelled and it will become a dual event, with athletes competing only in the bike and run races.

Tests earlier in July showed the Seine was clean enough for swimming, but heavy rains in the French capital on Friday and Saturday have reduced the quality.

Source: “Agencies”