Olympic triathlon training nixed due to Seine pollution concerns

Organisers of the Olympic Games have cancelled the first triathlon training session. The decision is due to heavy rainfall in recent days. However, organisers are "confident" that water quality will improve before the triathlon competitions on 30 July.

The first triathlon training session at the Olympic Games in Paris has been cancelled, the organisers report. The reason for the decision is the pollution of the Seine.

"Following a meeting "on the water quality" and tests, 'a joint decision was taken to cancel the swimming part of the triathlon orientation,;" reads a statement from Paris 2024 and World Triathlon.

During tests in mid-July, it was determined that the water in the Seine was not clean enough to swim in. There were still doubts about whether the competition could be held.

"Paris 2024 and World Triathlon reiterate that the priority is the health of the athletes. The analysis carried out yesterday in the Seine showed water quality levels that... do not present sufficient guarantees to allow the event to take place," reads the statement.

Organisers blame recent rains for the poor water quality. However, they assure that the water quality will improve enough for the triathlon competition to start on 30 July. A "Plan B" is in place if this does not happen.

In that case, the competition may be postponed by a few days or ultimately moved to Vaires-sur-Marne, on the Marne River east of Paris.