The men’s triathlon at the Paris Olympics has been postponed due to concerns about water quality in the River Seine.
Triathletes’ swim training was cancelled on Sunday and Monday and the decision was made to move the men’s race, which was due to start at 8am local time on Tuesday, to Wednesday.
The race has been rescheduled for 10:45 local time, after the women’s race, which was scheduled for 8:00.
A World Triathlon statement said Friday remains a contingency day if one or both races cannot take place.
“Tests carried out today on the Seine have revealed that the quality of the water does not offer sufficient guarantees to allow the event to take place,” the statement said.
‘Despite the improvement in water quality levels, values at some points along the swimming course are still above acceptable limits.
More than €1bn was spent cleaning up the river in preparation for the Games, but organisers knew that heavy rain in the days leading up to the competition could lead to increased levels of harmful E. Coli bacteria.
There had been hope that the effects of the deluge that marred Friday’s opening ceremony would have passed with time, but that has not been the case.
Britain’s Alex Yee is one of the favourites for gold in the men’s race but will have to bide his time as attention now turns to whether the water will be safe for the women’s race.
More to follow