August 06, (THEWILL) – Olympic organisers cancelled open water swimming training in the River Seine on Tuesday, due to poor water quality. This marks the fifth time events have been affected, following four previous cancellations of triathlon events in Paris.
Despite a €1.4 billion investment to upgrade Paris’s sewerage and water treatment systems, the Seine has consistently failed water quality tests. The cancellation was announced after a meeting between city officials, Paris 2024 organisers, and World Aquatics representatives.
The repeated cancellations have frustrated triathletes, who face uncertainty about their events. However, Monday saw the successful staging of the mixed triathlon relay, which Germany won in a thrilling finish.
The women’s 10-kilometre marathon swim is scheduled for Thursday, with the men’s event following on Friday. Organisers will continue to monitor water quality closely in the lead-up to these events.
The Seine’s water quality issues highlight the ongoing challenges of hosting urban water sports events, especially as organisers struggle to balance athlete safety with the desire to showcase iconic city locations during the Olympics.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
