Olympics Triathlon Training Cancelled Due to Pollution in France’s Seine River
Over the past decade, French authorities have invested 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion) to clean up the Seine River. This substantial investment has been directed towards the development of major new water treatment and storage facilities in and around Paris. These efforts aim to improve the water quality of the Seine, making it safer and cleaner for both residents and visitors.
Olympic organizers have canceled part of the triathlon training scheduled for Saturday in the River Seine, citing heavy rain that is expected to make the waterway too polluted for swimming. According to a statement from Paris 2024 organizers, only the running and cycling segments of the triathlon mixed relay training will proceed. The cancellation was due to “intense rainfall over the last two nights upstream of Paris, which is anticipated to lead to a significant decline in water quality.”
French authorities have invested 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion) over the past decade to clean up the Seine, including the development of major new water treatment and storage facilities in and around Paris.
However, heavy rain still overwhelms the city’s underground drains and sewage systems, resulting in untreated effluent being released into the river.
The fluctuating water cleanliness has been a significant concern for the Paris Games, with pollution causing a 24-hour delay of the men’s triathlon on Tuesday.
Both the men’s and women’s events proceeded on Wednesday after pollution levels were deemed “compliant.”
The weather during the Paris Games has been highly unpredictable, swinging from heatwaves to heavy downpours. This was especially evident during the opening ceremony, which was disrupted by torrential rain.
