The men’s triathlon at the ongoing Paris Olympics has been postponed due to polluted water in the Seine River.
A statement from the organizers said last-minute tests revealed water quality levels were “still above the acceptable limits” for Tuesday’s race to go ahead on time and leaving athletes facing uncertainty.
“The tests carried out in the Seine today revealed water quality levels that did not provide sufficient guarantees to allow the event to be held,” it read.
“Despite the improvement on the water quality levels in the last hours, the readings at some points of the swim course are still above the acceptable limits.
“We will provide the athletes who are due to take part in the men’s triathlon event with all information on its postponement, as well as real-time updates on the situation.”
Organisers had expressed confidence that the men’s triathlon would go ahead despite the heavy rain that marred Friday’s opening ceremony leading to increased levels of the harmful bacteria E.coli in the Seine.
Swimming training event for the triathlon were cancelled for two consecutive days on Sunday and Monday, with levels of pollution in the Seine linked to the weather.
Around €1.5bn has been spent on wastewater infrastructure to contain sewage in an ambitious plan to clean up the river and host open-water swimming and triathlon events in a spectacular setting in the middle of the city.
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