Olympic organisers have confirmed that the Paris 2024 triathlon could be transformed into a duathlon as a “last resort” if water quality does not improve in the River Seine.
The possible move follows the postponement of the men’s triathlon event this morning.
The men’s and women’s triathlon races are now scheduled to take place on Wednesday, with another contingency day available on August 2.
The triathletes were due to head to the river this morning for a familiarisation session, but World Triathlon and the organisation responsible for carrying out water quality tests deemed the standard had dropped below acceptable levels.
The Seine was declared clean enough to swim in after inspections in July, but heavy rain in the French capital over the past 48 hours has diminished the quality.
The men’s triathlon race was postponed on Tuesday due to water quality in the Seine River.
Organizers confirmed that the level of E-Coli bacteria in the water had been a concern.
Organizers confirmed the race could become a duathlon if water quality does not improve.
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Paris 2024 and World Triathlon confirmed at a press conference that E-Coli was a concern, leading to the postponement of Tuesday’s men’s race.
World Triathlon president Marisol Casado has admitted the organisation has been forced to switch events from triathlons to duathlons in recent years, suggesting climate change has contributed.
Casado stressed that the measure has been necessary on occasions to avoid the total cancellation of events.
“Unfortunately, in the last five years we have had to change to duathlon to avoid cancelling the event, because if we cancel the event there are no medals or prize money in our (World Triathlon events),” Casado said.
‘The climate we face has changed.
‘Sometimes we have very high waves, other times we have thunderstorms or something like that.
‘We can finish and have a competition because our athletes really want to compete.
‘I don’t think it’s unfair, it’s a different situation in the competition.’
World Triathlon president Marisol Casado admitted that the organisation has been forced to change events to duathlons in recent years in difficult conditions
Both the men’s and women’s races are scheduled for Wednesday.
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Paris 2024 sporting director Aurelie Merle revealed on Tuesday that data shows only one of four sites analysed on the Seine was below World Triathlon’s E-coli contamination threshold.
Two of them were slightly above, while one was significantly above.
Merle confirmed that changing the event to a duathlon was a “last resort” option.
“We worked very closely with World Triathlon when it came to contingency plans,” Merle said.
‘The difference with marathon swimming is that you either swim or cancel the race, whereas in triathlon you still have the opportunity as a last resort to move on to a duathlon.’
World Triathlon President Casado added that there is confidence that the competition can be held on Wednesday.
This comes despite weather forecasts suggesting more rain could fall on Tuesday.
Severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, hail and lightning are expected from 18:00 local time in the French capital.
The decision on whether Wednesday’s triathlon races will go ahead will be made at 3:30 a.m. local time, with a contingency option for Friday.
“At this point we are all disappointed, because we have not been able to strictly follow what was planned,” said Casado.
‘I think we are all in a good mood and we think we will have the opportunity because behind this issue we have the best possible people, and if necessary we can look for another time during the week if we need it.
‘At this moment we are pretty sure that it will happen tomorrow and then we will be happy, all of us, especially the athletes.
Organizers could suffer a new blow if rain is forecast for Tuesday
Organizers have the option to drop the swim and turn the event into a duathlon if water quality does not improve sufficiently.
The move would be a blow to organisers who have already spent more than €1bn (£840bn or $1bn) on cleaning up the river in preparation for the Games.
However, organisers knew that heavy rain in the days leading up to a competition could cause levels of the harmful bacteria E. Coli to rise.
Bathing in the Seine, which runs through the city, has been prohibited since 1923.
In 1990, Jacques Chirac, then mayor of Paris, famously declared that he would manage to clean it up enough to be able to enter, but he failed in his mission.
Earlier this month, after a surprise investment, the current mayor, Anne Hidalgo, took the plunge with a group of about 100 officials and swam about 100 meters.
The marathon swim events are scheduled to take place in the River Seine, but organizers have a contingency in place, while the swim serves as the first leg of the triathlon event.
