The Paris Olympics men’s individual triathlon race was postponed at the last minute due to polluted water in the River Seine.
According to CNN, the triathlon race that was scheduled for Tuesday, July 30, will now take place on Wednesday.
The World Triathlon issued a press release that said, “Paris 2024 and the World Triathlon reiterate that their priority is the health of the athletes. The tests carried out in Seine today revealed water quality levels that did not provide sufficient guarantees to allow the event to be held.”
It further added, “Despite the improvement in the water quality levels in the last hours, the readings at some points of the swim course are still above the acceptable limits. We will provide the athletes who are due to take part in the men’s triathlon event with all information on its postponement, as well as real-time updates on the situation.”
The International Olympic Committee, Paris city officials, World Triathlon, and its medical team have made this decision.
Concerns have been raised about the water quality of the river even before the Paris Olympics began, but at that time, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo swam in the river to show the water was safe.
To note, the women's triathlon is also scheduled for Wednesday, which, as per Olympic officials, will take place prior to the men’s race.
