Another Paris Olympics testing event, held on the River Seine on Sunday, was canceled due to water quality concerns, as organizers canceled the triathlon mixed relay.
Triathlon swimmers head out to the Seine for competition on Thursday and Friday, while water quality tests prior to the paratriathlon test event on Saturday showed higher levels of bacteria than allowed, so the event was cancelled. Other tests prior to Sunday’s medley relay were inconsistent, according to a joint statement by organizers and local officials.
As a precautionary measure and in order to protect the health of the athletes, the decision to cancel all swimming races planned for today has been taken once again. Authorities are investigating the cause of the problematic testing.
Recent rains may be a factor. A previous test event had to be canceled this month as heavy rain caused untreated waste to overflow into the Seine, leaving water quality below safety standards.
This weekend’s cancellations pose a new challenge for the organizers of the Paris Olympics and the city’s ambitions to reopen the iconic river to public swimming after the Games.
Paris is spending large sums of money on water management projects that will reduce pollution caused by storms until the games start on July 26, 2024, officials say. monthly cancellations as a learning experience.