France – Part of the triathlon competitions (triathlon: swimming, cycling and running) at the 2024 Paris Olympics is at risk of cancellation, according to what the head of the Games organizing committee, Tony Estang, announced.
The British newspaper “The Guardian” quoted Estanget’s statements in which he admitted that it was possible to cancel the swimming portion of the triathlon due to the quality of the water in the Seine River.
He explained that when heavy rain falls, levels of dangerous fecal bacteria in the water rise.
Estanji added that the organizing committee has developed a contingency plan, and one of the options is to consider postponing the start of competitions in the games to a later date.
Earlier, ecologists conducted tests and found that the water quality in the Seine still does not meet recommended standards for swimming.
Scientists pointed out the risks to athletes who will participate in triathlon and open water swimming competitions.
In August 2023, the Open Water Swimming World Cup in Paris was cancelled.
The tournament was rejected due to water pollution in the Seine River, and these competitions were supposed to be tests preceding the Olympic Games.
Swimming in the Seine River has been prohibited since 1923, due to the significant deterioration in the quality of the river’s water. The sewage system dates back to the nineteenth century and is based on pouring wastewater into tunnels under the streets of Paris. In normal times, the sewage reaches treatment centers on the outskirts of the capital. However, when heavy rains fall, the excess drainage mixes with the water of the Seine River, and it was planned to clean the river with the start of the Olympic Games.
The Olympic Games are scheduled to be held in Paris from next July 26 to August 11, 2024.
Source: theguardian
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2024-04-11 11:17:30