Let’s dive into the ongoing drama surrounding the triathlon events at the Paris Olympics, where top athletes, including Great Britain’s Alex Yee, are facing uncertainty due to water quality issues in the Seine. With the men’s and women’s practice swims canceled, the fate of the competition is hanging in the balance.
Triathletes are heading to bed on Monday night unsure if they’ll compete in the morning. The Seine’s water quality, part of a £1bn clean-up effort, remains a concern. Officials plan to decide at 3:30 AM local time if the famous river will be safe enough for the event, scheduled to start at 8:00 AM.
Should bacteria levels remain unsafe, organizers have two main options: drop the swimming portion and transform the event into a duathlon, or postpone the competition to August 2. The women’s triathlon is set for Wednesday, adding another layer of urgency to resolve the issue.
Swimming in the Seine has been banned since 1923 due to pollution. In 1990, Jacques Chirac, then mayor of Paris, vowed to clean it up but failed. Current Paris 2024 Director General Etienne Thobois, when asked about the uncertain situation, declined to apologize to the athletes, emphasizing their respect for competitors and optimism about holding the event.
“We have to wait,” Thobois said. “We don’t do fiction scenarios. We are very respectful of the athletes. They are the heart of the Games. We have done everything we could in relation with the international federations and public authorities to achieve the goal of swimming in the Seine which will be a fantastic legacy. We are still optimistic, we have a contingency plan, we hope when they wake up they will be able participate.”
Heavy rain, which disrupted the opening ceremony, has compromised the water quality, with pollution and E.coli being significant concerns. The rain can lead to wastewater issues and affect water speed, both detrimental to safe swimming conditions.
Tony Estanguet, Paris 2024 chief, expressed confidence over the weekend that swimming in the Seine would proceed. The optimism is echoed by recent statements following this morning’s test results. A Paris 2024 spokesperson said, “Given the weather forecast for the next 36 hours, Paris 2024 and World Triathlon are confident that water quality will return to below limits before the start of the triathlon competitions on 30 July.”
The spokesperson highlighted that summer conditions—more sunshine, higher temperatures, and less rain—have significantly improved the Seine’s water quality in July.
Lewisham’s Alex Yee, 26, a silver medalist in Tokyo and gold in the mixed relay, is a strong contender in France. As he and other athletes prepare for what could be a defining moment in their careers, they face an anxious wait.
With officials working tirelessly to ensure the events go ahead safely, the triathletes’ dedication and the city’s efforts to clean the Seine showcase the spirit of the Olympic Games.
