The men’s triathlon at the Olympics has been postponed to Wednesday due to unacceptable pollution levels in the River Seine, according to event organizers. The race, originally scheduled for Tuesday, will now occur following the women’s triathlon on Wednesday.
Paris 2024 and World Triathlon, who had previously assured that the Seine would be safe for swimming, announced the delay after emergency water quality tests revealed contamination levels deemed unsafe for competition.
A joint statement from the organizers attributed the pollution to recent heavy rains in Paris. The statement, issued after an early morning meeting, emphasized that the health of the athletes is their top priority.
“Tests conducted today showed that water quality did not meet the necessary standards for the event,” the statement read. “Due to uncontrollable meteorological conditions, we are compelled to reschedule the event to ensure the athletes’ safety.”
Previously, organizers had canceled training sessions on Sunday and Monday due to similar pollution issues. Despite sunny weather this week, which typically helps reduce bacteria levels, the water quality did not improve in time for the race.
French authorities have invested 1.4 billion euros in recent years to improve Seine water quality through new treatment facilities and storage solutions. However, heavy rain continues to overwhelm the city’s drainage systems, causing untreated sewage to enter the river.
The men’s triathlon is the first Olympic event to be held in the Seine, with marathon swimming scheduled for the second week of the Games. The ongoing water quality challenges have posed significant difficulties for the Paris 2024 organizers.