2024-07-31 02:42:02
PARIS (AP) — Organizers confirm the men’s and women’s Olympic triathlon races will go ahead Wednesday after days of delays and uncertainty about the water quality of the Seine River.
The decision to continue swimming in the Seine during the triathlon is a victory for the city, the organizers and the athletes. Officials are embarking on an ambitious plan that includes a 1.4 billion euro ($1.5 billion) infrastructure improvement project to clean up polluted rivers, insisting on the swimming portion of the race and next week’s marathon swim. The race can be completed safely on the river.
Organizers reported in the early hours of Wednesday that the latest water tests showed they met quality standards.
The men’s test was postponed from Tuesday to Wednesday due to high bacteria levels in the river, while the women’s test was originally scheduled for Wednesday. Test matches on Monday and Tuesday, which allow players to familiarize themselves with the waters, have also been canceled for the same reason.
The water quality of the Seine is directly affected by rainfall, causing wastewater to overflow into the river. It rained heavily during the opening ceremony on Friday and continued on Saturday.
Organizers have had to announce cancellations every day since Sunday but remain confident that the Seine swim will go ahead the next day. Days later, they released information on E. coli and other bacteria levels that helped make that decision.
Tests are done daily to measure levels of the fecal bacteria E. coli. The World Triathlon Guidelines and the 2006 EU Directive specify a range of grades from excellent to adequate. But experts stress these are just guidelines.
Paris 2024 sporting director Aurélie Merlie told reporters on Tuesday that samples were collected 21 and a half hours before the decision was made.
On Tuesday, Mayer said the results showed “we’re getting close to triathlon levels.”
“We know that sunlight and heat have a big impact on water quality,” he said, hoping that the heat wave that hit France on Tuesday would help improve water quality.
Organizers said the swim marathon originally scheduled for August 8 and 9 may be moved to the Varès-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, which will host rowing and canoeing events.
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