Olympia in Paris - Poor water quality: Triathlon training cancelled again
Before the Triathlon at the Olympics in Paris, the second swimming training in the Seine was cancelled due to poor water quality. This raises doubts if the planned competitions at these Summer Games in Paris' main river can take place as planned. However, the organizers are currently holding onto this plan and remain optimistic.
The tests conducted on Sunday did not deliver the required guarantees for water cleanliness to allow swimming, according to a statement. This was due to the rain that fell on Friday and Saturday. The athletes' health comes first.
Olympic organizers optimistic
Regarding the weather forecast, the Olympic Organizing Committee and the World Triathlon Federation remain optimistic that the water quality in the Seine will be within the required limits before the start of the Triathlon competitions, the statement continued. The water quality of the Seine has significantly improved in July.
The Men's Triathlon Individual is scheduled for Tuesday, a day later for Women. The Mixed-Staffel is planned for August 5th. Besides Triathletes, Freestyle Swimmers are also scheduled to hold their competitions in the Seine. As an alternative, the Ruderregatta-Stretch is prepared for them.
Large investments in clarification plants and sewage systems
For a long time, it has been discussed in Paris whether the water quality in the Seine is good enough for competitions to take place. 1.4 Billion Euros have been invested in clarification plants and the sewage system in the Paris region in recent years to improve water quality. This prevents, among other things, toilet waste from entering the river with the water masses during heavy rain.
However, during control measurements in the past months, the water quality still left something to be desired. The city attributed this to the unusual wet weather and low temperatures. At higher temperatures and a lower water level in the Seine, disease-carrying organisms would be broken down faster.
- Despite the cancellation of the second swimming training due to poor water quality on Sunday, the organizers of the Paris Olympics remain optimistic about the Triathlon competitions in the Seine.
- The poor water quality in the Seine was attributed to the rain that fell on Friday and Saturday, affecting the water quality tests and raising doubts about the planned competitions.
- Germany and France will both participate in the Triathlon and Swimming competitions at the Olympic Games in Paris, with events scheduled for the Men's Triathlon Individual and Freestyle Swimming.
- The organizers have prepared an alternative venue, the Ruderregatta-Stretch, for Freestyle Swimmers if needed, as a backup plan for poor water quality in the Seine.
- Historical efforts to improve the water quality in the Seine include large-scale investments in clarification plants and sewage systems, totaling 1.4 Billion Euros in the Paris region.
