Organizers of the Paris 2024 Olympics are confident that the triathlon events will proceed as scheduled, despite recent concerns over pollution in the River Seine.
Heavy rain last week has impacted the water quality in the Seine, leading to the cancellation of two swimming training sessions on Sunday and Monday. The water quality deteriorated further due to the recent storms, and temperatures in Paris are expected to reach 34°C on Tuesday, the day of the men’s triathlon.
The men’s triathlon is slated to start at 07:00 BST (08:00 local time) on Tuesday, with a final decision on the event’s status to be made at 03:00 BST (04:00 local time). The women’s triathlon is scheduled for Wednesday, and the mixed team competition will take place on Monday, 5 August.
Lambis Konstantinidis, operations director for Paris 2024, assured that several contingency plans are in place. “One solution could be to have both men’s and women’s competitions on the same day,” Konstantinidis told BBC Sport. “Another possibility is to use our contingency days that we have built into the programme.”
He also mentioned the extreme possibility of switching to a duathlon if necessary, but stressed that this is a last resort. “We are not there yet, and we are confident that tomorrow [Tuesday] will be a good day,” he added.
The issue with the Seine’s water quality stems from historical pollution, with swimming banned for a century due to concerns. Recent tests have shown high levels of E.coli, though Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo swam in the river earlier this month to demonstrate its safety. However, the recent rains have led to a deterioration in water quality.
Konstantinidis explained that the influx of mountain water has affected the Seine’s quality. “We have at least two systems of tracking the water quality to ensure that everybody is comfortable with it, and if that’s the case, we will give the green light.”
Former triathlete and BBC commentator Annie Emmerson supported the decision to cancel training sessions due to the water quality, emphasizing the importance of familiarizing oneself with the course. “The problem with the Seine is the strong current, and athletes need to know how to position themselves against it,” she said.
The open water swimming events scheduled for 7 and 8 August may be relocated to Vaires-sur-Marne if necessary, but the triathlon swim, as the first leg of the competition, cannot be moved.
High temperatures and humidity pose additional challenges for athletes and spectators. Organizers have implemented contingency plans, including the installation of over 300 extra water fountains and shaded areas at venues.
Konstantinidis noted that the heat could have a positive effect on water quality by reducing bacteria levels. “We expect the conditions to be favorable for the events,” he said. Currently, no competitions are planned to be postponed.