PARIS (AP) — Olympic organizers are working in the sun and scorching temperatures to improve the water quality of the Seine River for three athletes to swim in.
Otherwise, they may feel hot.
Concern about Purity of the Paris River The men’s triathlon was postponed Tuesday, with officials hoping the main portion of the race can go ahead in a recently contaminated waterway following a costly cleanup effort.
Organizers said they would try to hold the men’s triathlon on Wednesday instead. A women’s race is also scheduled for the day, but both will only take place if water tests are approved. levels of E. coli and other bacteria. Friday is also planned as a backup day.
However, storms or rain are forecast from Tuesday night into Thursday, which could complicate rescheduling as rain generally raises bacteria levels in the Seine.
American triathlete Seth Ryder said: “It’s unfortunate that there’s this negative side to it now with the delay. “But I hope we have a triathlon and I can achieve this dream that I’ve had since I was a little girl.”
Paris 2024 sports director Aurelie Merle told reporters on Tuesday that water samples were taken 21 and a half hours before the decision on swimming, casting doubt on the accuracy of the race day.
Paris has spent 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion) to improve water quality in the Seine so the swimming portion of the triathlon and the swimming portion of the marathon can be held next week in the famous river that runs through the city center. But the bacterial levels are in progress.
Organizers have been asked whether they put the beauty of the triathlon ahead of the benefits of the athletes.
“We live in the 21st century where, unfortunately, meteorological events occur that are beyond the control of organizers,” Merle said. “We have seen that we have gone from heavy rains to high temperatures like today in a matter of days. Therefore, it is very difficult to control how it affects the quality of the river.
Paris experienced heavy rain Season Olympic opening ceremony on Friday, the rain will continue until Saturday. The swimming section of the training events, which was meant to familiarize the three athletes with the course, was canceled on Sunday and Monday due to water quality concerns.
Organizers He expressed his belief that Bacteria levels will improve in recent days this week as skies clear and temperatures warm, but that hasn’t been enough to ensure the athletes’ safety. The sun’s ultraviolet rays can kill bacteria and low levels, and The start of the week was warm and sunny..
In the year Waves crash on the banks of the Seine River in front of the Eiffel Tower during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Paris. As the Olympics continue in Paris, water quality in the River Seine remains a concern for authorities. Organizers of the triathlon event canceled the swim practice for the second day in a row on Monday due to poor water quality. Event organizers are hoping that sunny weather will make for a productive swim on Tuesday when the triathlon begins. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
The sport’s governing body, World Triathlon, its medical team, the IOC and city officials met on Tuesday morning to decide on the postponement.
The rider, a triathlete, was on a 4 hour run when the delay was noticed. A triathlete who was with him also ran out and waved at him.
“There in the dark, at 4 o’clock in the morning, in the middle of the road, nobody around, we had a little chat,” Ryder said. “I just went back to the room and went back to bed.”
Paris Deputy Mayor Pierre Rabadan said “the trend is improving” but did not rule out further delays “if there is an issue tomorrow after the results of the review.”
Daily water quality tests measure levels of the fecal bacteria E. coli. World Triathlon Water safety guidelines and 2006 European Union Instruction Give different levels of E. coli, from “excellent” to “adequate.” Anything over 900 colony forming units per 100 ml is not considered safe or “enough”.
But experts stress that these numbers are only guidelines used to assess risk. “There’s no magic number around 900,” says Dr. Nicole Iovine, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Florida.
One of the four testing sites tested positive for E. coli under the podium on Tuesday, Paris 2024’s Merle said. Two other stations are above the limit and one is higher, she said, citing a range of 980 to 1,553.
High levels of E. coli in water It may indicate sewage pollution. Most species are harmless and some live in the intestines of healthy people and animals. But others can be dangerous. Even contaminated water in the mouth can lead to diarrhea, and the germs can cause diseases such as infections in the urinary tract or intestines.
Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris He swam very publicly Two weeks ago in the river with Paris 2024 boss Tony Estangut. The data released last week shows The E. coli count at Bras Marie that day was 985 units per 100 milliliters, slightly higher than the baseline.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo swims in the Seine River, Wednesday, July 17, 2024, in Paris. After months of anticipation, Ann Hidalgo She swam in the Seine River in January, keeping her promise nine days before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics. (AP Photo/Michelle Uller)
The men’s triathlon is now scheduled to start at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, which could make the heat even hotter as the event wraps up in the hottest part of the day. World Triathlon plans to provide its athletes with ice and water stations along the course. The women’s race will be held as previously scheduled at 8 p.m.
If the river becomes unsafe for swimming after a delay, that portion of the race will be discontinued and only the bike and run portion will go ahead. This happened last year when the European Championship triathlon format was changed due to water quality issues.
“It’s a different state of competition,” said Marisol Casado, president of World Triathlon, rejecting the idea that it’s unfair to change triathletes who excel in the water.
Other swimming events scheduled in Seine are the triathlon mixed relay on Monday and the women’s and men’s marathon swims on August 8 and August 9. Formerly the largest venue for rowing and canoeing competitions in Paris, it can accommodate up to 15,000 spectators.
But it’s a logistical challenge to change swimming locations for triathlons, where routes are already set up for cycling and running.
“We’re sympathetic,” Merle said. “Let’s see how it goes.”
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AP writers Barbara Sirk in Nice and Devna Bose in Jackson, Mississippi contributed.
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