global
triathlon
The coalition released a statement due to
Seine
Water quality "non-compliance".
Paris Olympics
The Ironman Men's Individual race will be postponed until July 31 at 10:45 p.m. local time.
The announcement is as follows:
A water quality meeting between the Paris Organizing Committee, the World Triathlon Union and World Triathlon Technical Medical Delegates, the IOC, Météo-France, the City of Paris, and the governments involved in water quality testing resulted in the decision to postpone the men's triathlon scheduled for July 30 at 8 a.m. (local time).
Taking into account the latest weather information, it has been decided to schedule the Men's Triathlon for July 31 at 10:45 a.m. and the Women's Triathlon will take place on the same day at 8:00 a.m. Both triathlons will be subject to water quality testing. The original contingency day has been held until August 2 for further consideration.
The Paris Organizing Committee and the World Triathlon Union have reiterated that the priority is the health of the athletes. Tests carried out today in the Seine River showed that the level of water quality was not sufficient to warrant the organization of the event.
Unfortunately, weather events beyond our control (such as the rainfall in Paris on July 26th and 27th) can alter water quality and force us to reschedule the event for health reasons. Although water quality levels have improved in recent hours, figures at certain locations along the swim route are still above acceptable limits.
We will provide athletes who will be competing in the Men's Triathlon with all information regarding the postponement of the event, as well as live updates.
Over the past 10 years, the Paris municipal government and other relevant departments have invested more than 1 billion euros (about 7.8 billion yuan) to combat pollution in the Seine River. The Seine River water quality test report released by the Paris municipal government on July 4 shows that the level of E. coli and enterococci in the Olympic swimming section of the Seine River has been reduced to the open water event standard required by the World Swimming Federation.
Nonetheless, the recent rainy weather has adversely affected the water quality of the Seine River and out of the utmost concern for the health of the athletes, the event organizing committee has finally decided to postpone the race. Athletes and stakeholders will receive timely information and real-time updates on the postponement of the event.
We look forward to witnessing the triathlon on July 31st and hope that the water quality conditions will be up to standard to ensure the event goes smoothly.
