France’s $1.5 billion effort to clean up the Seine River for the 2024 Paris Olympics has faced significant challenges, leading to the postponement of the men’s triathlon due to high levels of fecal bacteria in the water. The Seine, which has been too polluted for swimming for over 120 years, was deemed unsafe after heavy rains caused sewage to overflow into the river, spiking bacteria levels, particularly E. coli. The men’s triathlon was moved to Tuesday, with the potential for further delays if water quality does not improve.
The women’s triathlon, originally scheduled for Tuesday, may also be postponed if conditions remain unsafe. Organizers are considering reducing the triathlons to biathlons, eliminating the swimming portion. This decision follows the cancellation of practice sessions on Sunday and Monday for similar reasons.
Despite the massive cleanup investment, the continuous rain and infrastructure issues have thwarted efforts to improve the Seine’s water quality. The World Triathlon and World Aquatics organizations have set different standards for water quality, but both face challenges due to the current conditions. The planned open-water swimming races next week are also at risk if the contamination persists.
The situation has sparked frustration and concern among athletes and organizers, highlighting the difficulty of balancing environmental issues with large-scale sporting events. The decision to potentially cut the swimming portion underscores the ongoing struggle to ensure athlete safety while trying to maintain the integrity of the competitions.
