Rabat – Concerns over the water quality of Paris’ iconic Seine River have once again surfaced, leading to the cancellation of a pre-race triathlon event in the 2024 Olympic Games scheduled for Sunday.
Organizers canceled the swimming segment of the triathlon familiarization event after a meeting with key authorities responsible for monitoring the Seine’s water quality, ABC News reports.
This meeting included representatives from World Triathlon, and city and regional officials. The decision was primarily driven by recent water quality tests that failed to meet the safety standards for athletes to compete.
Swimming in the Seine has been prohibited for over a century, largely due to concerns over pollution and poor water quality.
However, significant efforts have been made to transform the river into a safe environment for Olympic events.
Organizers have invested an estimated $1.5 billion in preparations, which include extensive cleaning efforts and infrastructure improvements.
French authorities had assured that the river would be clean enough to host events like the swimming portion of the triathlon and the marathon swimming competition.
Daily water quality tests conducted in early June revealed unsafe levels of E. coli bacteria, although there have been recent improvements.
Recently, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo took a highly publicized swim in the Seine, aiming to demonstrate the progress made in purifying the long-polluted waterway.
Her dip in the river was a symbolic gesture meant to reassure both the public and athletes about the Seine’s safety as an Olympic venue.
Despite these assurances, heavy rains during the Olympic opening ceremony have exacerbated concerns.
The rainfall significantly affects the Seine’s water quality, as it often leads to runoff that can carry pollutants into the river.
