Pollution in the River Seine has forced the cancellation of
Sunday's proposed swimming training for Olympic triathletes in
Paris, Azernews reports citing BBC .
A joint statement from Paris 2024 and World Triathlon said that
tests had shown the water quality was below an acceptable
standard.
After tests in July, the River Seine was deemed to be clean
enough for swimming but heavy rain in the French capital over the
past 48 hours has seen the quality diminish.
"The priority is the health of the athletes," the statement
read.
"The tests carried out in the Seine [on Saturday] revealed water
quality levels that in the view of the international federation,
World Triathlon, did not provide sufficient guarantees to allow the
event to be held.
"Given the weather forecast for the next 48 hours, Paris 2024
and World Triathlon are confident that water quality will return to
below limits before the start for of the triathlon competitions (on
30 July)."
Should the water quality not reach the required standard, the
triathlon events could be postponed for a few days or moved to
Vaires-sur-Marne, on the Marne river east of Paris.
The swimming leg of the triathlon familiarisation had been due
to take place at 07:00 BST. The bike and running training will go
ahead as planned.