Paralympics 2024: Triathlon events are postponed because of poor water quality in the Seine River

Paralympic triathlon events scheduled for Sunday have been postponed due to concerns regarding the water quality in the River Seine in Paris. As many as 11 para-triathlon events have been affected and deferred to Monday. However, the events will only take place after adequate measures.

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Paralympic triathlon events postponed

Heavy Rainfall dampened the French capital on Friday and Saturday, resulting in an increase in the bacteria levels of River Seine. This is the second time the para-triathlon events have been rescheduled. They were initially planned to happen on Sunday and Monday, but due to the anticipated rain the events were pushed to Sunday.

Recent tests indicate a decline in river water quality following rain over the past two days. Consequently, the water quality at the competition venue on Sunday, September 1, does not meet the standards set by World Triathlon and is unsuitable for swimming. As a result, all 11 Para triathlon medal events are now scheduled for September 2, pending the results of upcoming water tests meeting the World Triathlon's established thresholds.

Paris 2024 and World Triathlon emphasize that the health of the athletes is their top priority, and under the current conditions, the Para triathlon events cannot proceed today.

This disruption is yet another setback for the city's initiative to clean up the river for future public swimming, one of Paris' most ambitious commitments leading up to the Olympics and Paralympics this summer. The men's individual triathlon event at the Paris Olympics was delayed, and several test swims were canceled due to elevated E. coli levels following rainfall.

Some Olympic triathletes became ill after swimming in the Seine, though it is uncertain if this was related to the river's water quality.