Swimming Leg of Olympic Triathlon Faces Cancellation

President of the Pari 2024 organising committee, Tony Estanguet, says the swimming leg of the triathlon at this summer’s Olympics could be cancelled if heavy rain affects water quality in the River Seine.

Recent testing by charity Surfrider Foundation Europe revealed “alarming”, external levels of E. coli in the river.

Estanguet said contingency plans are in place, including delaying the event until later in the Games.

He says they can postpone for rainy conditions, because it’s programmed at the beginning of the Games, we can wait for better conditions. So we are confident that it will be possible to use the Seine.

The Olympics start on July 26, with the men’s and women’s triathlon scheduled for July 30 and 31 respectively and the mixed event on August 5.

The Seine is also set to host marathon swimming at the Olympics and the Para-triathlon event at the Paralympics, which start on August 28.