PARIS (AP) — The men’s Olympic triathlon scheduled for Tuesday has been postponed. Water Quality Concerns on the River Seine in Paris, where the swimming events of the race were to take place.
Organizers said they would try to hold the men’s triathlon on Wednesday instead. The women’s event is also scheduled for Wednesday but both are subject to water quality testing. Friday is also scheduled as a backup day.
But the French weather service Meteo-France has forecast a storm on Tuesday night, light rain on Wednesday afternoon and a storm on Thursday, which could complicate rescheduling the event.
Heavy rains often lead to elevated levels of E. coli and other bacteria in the Seine. Paris was hit by heavy rain Between Olympic opening ceremony FridayThe rain continued into Saturday. The swimming portion of the training event was held to help the triathletes get used to the course. Sunday and Monday cancelled Due to concerns about water quality.
The decision to postpone the men’s triathlon was made following a meeting early Tuesday involving the sport’s governing body, the World Triathlon Association, its medical team and city officials.
“Water quality levels have improved in recent hours but remain above acceptable levels at some points along the swim course,” organisers said in a statement announcing the postponement, stressing that “the well-being of the athletes remains our top priority.”
The men’s event is scheduled to start at 10:45 a.m., which could mean even more heat effects. A high of 95 degrees (35 C) is expected Wednesday, meaning the event could finish during the hottest part of the day. The women’s event is scheduled to start at 8 a.m. Wednesday as originally scheduled.
Organizers and City Officials expressed confidence It was predicted that bacteria levels would improve as the skies cleared and temperatures rose over the next few days, but apparently that wasn’t enough to keep the players safe.
Paris has made significant efforts to improve the quality of its long-polluted waters, the famous river that runs through the city center, so that it can host a triathlon and marathon swimming event in August, but bacteria levels continue to fluctuate.
Daily water testing measures levels of a fecal bacteria called E. coli. Safety Limits 900 colony forming units per 100 milliliters as required by European regulations. Eau de Paris Data is released every Friday, but is only updated up to the previous Tuesday.
High levels of E. coli in water may be a sign of sewage contamination. Most strains are harmless and can live in the intestines of healthy people and animals. But some can be dangerous. Drinking even a sip of contaminated water can cause diarrhea, and the bacteria can lead to illnesses such as urinary tract and intestinal infections.
Efforts to make the river swimmable have cost 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion). Construction of a giant basin It will capture excess stormwater, prevent wastewater from entering rivers, rehabilitate sewer infrastructure and upgrade wastewater treatment plants.
Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo Swam openly Two weeks ago, he swam in the river with Tony Estinguett, president of the Paris 2024 organising committee, Marc Guillaume, a government official in the Paris region, and swimmers from a local swimming club. According to data released last week That day, Brass Mary’s E. coli concentration was 985 units per 100 milliliters, just above the prescribed limit.
Other swimming events scheduled on the Seine include the mixed triathlon relay on August 5th and the women’s and men’s marathon swimming events on August 8th and 9th.
AP Health Reporter Devna Bose contributed from Jackson, Mississippi.
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