Swimming, cycling and running! Triathlon is a fun event to watch. However, with the Seine River facing pollution issues, the Paris Olympics organizers deemed the river unsafe for swimming. Yet, with the most recent results, the water was considered safe, and the triathlon events had begun. With the river showcasing favorable results, both men and women will compete back-to-back to finish the events.

Hence, one of the most awaited competitions is underway, but it had its fair share of drama. The race was supposed to start on Tuesday. But failed tests postponed the event. Many factors would have contributed to the issue after Paris had heavy downpours.

Yet, according to NBC, the Paris organizers and World Triathlon, the sport’s governing body issued a statement, “The results of the latest water analyses, received at 3:20 a.m., have been assessed as compliant by World Triathlon allowing for the triathlon competitions to take place.”

Triathlon events are up and away at the Paris Olympics 2024!

With unique locations at the Paris Olympics, the Seine River became the nucleus of Paris. The organizers raced to clean the river before the Games commenced. The polluted waterway needed treatment and the French organizers tested the river samples for E. coli and Enterococci bacteria. Notably, these bacteria indicate the presence of fecal matter in the river and other pathogens. When the above-mentioned E. coli levels are high in the water, athletes face gastrointestinal illness.

Because of the rainy weather in Paris, the water became polluted because of sewage and other materials that get washed away in the rain. With the opening ceremony conducted on the Seine, the river pollution increased, causing issues with scheduling the event. The famous river prohibited swimming because of the high pollution. But, as the Paris Olympics arrived, the organizers spent 1.5 billion to clean up the city’s drainage system and keep the river clean. Yet it was not enough.

With the weather not helping around, the initial plans of having ultraviolet rays subdue the bacteria in the river failed. The city received heavy showers, and the water turned murky. With the weather messing up the initial plans, the organizers canceled two days of swimming on Sunday and Monday. Obviously, the athletes became unhappy as they voiced their concerns.

Athletes voice opinions with scheduling!

Water quality experts believe that polluted water takes some time to clean and expands its horizon to other issues related to environmental contamination. Let’s not blame Paris. This is prevalent in most major cities in the world. Clean water remains a rarity in some places this time. Hence, an athlete supported the organizers in testing the conditions before they approached the event.

Kirsten Kasper, an American triathlete, expressed, “I’m just trying to focus on what I can control.” 

He continued, “We swim in a lot of city locations, and it’s common for water quality to be a question. But I just have to trust that the race organizers are doing the testing and what they need to do to make sure it’s safe.” 

Yet, the event is underway and the women’s event is complete. Even though Kirsten Kasper finished 49th in the triathlon, to the delight of the French, Cassandre Beaugrand claimed gold for France in the women’s triathlon. After all, it’s coming home!