Why Is Men’s Triathlon Postponed on Day 4 of Paris Olympics?

The wait is over, but not in the way many hoped. The men’s triathlon at the Paris Olympics has been postponed from Tuesday to Wednesday due to high pollution levels in the Seine River. In a recent report emerging from Paris, France24 has announced that there will be a delay in the men’s triathlon event after the water in the Seine is found to be unsuitable. Originally scheduled for 30th July, Tuesday, it has been pushed to 31st July, Wednesday, as announced by Olympic authorities and World Triathlon. The race is rescheduled to take place at 10:45 a.m., following the women’s event which will commence at 8 a.m.

Though organizers had initially assured that the water quality would improve, the heavy rains over the weekend have made the Seine too unsanitary for a swim. The organizers remarked on the situation saying, “Despite the improvement of water quality levels over the last hours, the readings at some points of the swim course are still above the acceptable limits,” World Triathlon further added, “Tests carried out in the Seine today revealed water quality did not provide sufficient guarantees to allow the event to be held.” The decision impacts 55 triathletes from around the world, who are steeped in uncertainty since the level of infectious bacteria named E. coli is to blame. It’s too high for the athletes to compete safely. 

Earlier swimming training sessions were canceled on both Sunday and Monday. Moreover, tests are being carried out to check the water quality in the River Seine and Friday, 2 August is reserved as a contingency date for both races. However, organizers have said the event could be contested as a duathlon as a last resort. According to weather forecasts, Thundery showers are predicted for Wednesday morning, which will be followed by hot temperatures of up to 35° C on Tuesday.

Paris 2024 operations director Lambis Konstantinidis told BBC Sport, “In the case of triathlon the heat has a positive effect because the sunlight and the increased temperature is beneficial in the sense that it kills bacteria.” The best-case scenario would be if the Seine River is clean by the Olympics. The river is set to host the triathlon mixed relay on August 5. It will also host the Olympic marathon swimming on August 8 and 9. The Para-triathlon event at the Paralympics, starting on August 28, will take place there as well. Hopefully, those will proceed without a hiccup. 

French government keen to clean up the Seine 

Approximately 1.4 billion euros, or $1.5 billion, have been spent to clean up the Seine River. The river flows through Paris, where the 2024 Summer Olympics will be held. The funds have renovated infrastructure, created a large underground water storage basin, and upgraded wastewater treatment facilities. Recently Paris’ mayor Anne Hidalgo also went for a 100m swim in the water. Hidalgo got into the water wearing a wetsuit and goggles,  near the ancient City Hall, which is her office, and the Notre Dame Cathedral.

Accompanying her were Paris 2024 chief Tony Estanguet and the top government official for the Paris region, Marc Guillaume. Swimmers from local swimming clubs were also present and they played ball and dived in the water in a festive mood. Hidalgo said in a statement later, “The Seine is exquisite. The water is very, very good. A little cool, but not so bad.’’ She added that it is a “testimony that we have achieved a lot of work,” referencing the city’s “swimming plan” launching next year. However, there were concerns regarding the swimmers entering the Seine from the beginning.

Eau de Paris, the city’s water supply company, reported last month that E. coli pollution levels in the river were unsafe. This contamination was found at four different sections of the river for the third consecutive week. Additionally, Surfrider Foundation Europe also completed 14 tests on water samples taken from two spots on the Seine between September and March.  One was the starting spot for the Olympic and Paralympic triathlon and marathon swimming events. None of which met European Union regulations, the water charity said earlier this year. Now, we have to wait for tomorrow to see if the triathlon can indeed commence.