The men’s Olympic triathlon scheduled for Tuesday has been postponed due to concerns over the water quality in Paris’ Seine River, where the race’s swimming portion was set to take place.
Organisers indicated they would try to set the men’s triathlon on Wednesday instead. The women’s competition is also set for Wednesday, but both are subject to water tests. Storms are expected for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings, which could complicate rescheduling the activities.
Heavy rains generally cause levels of E. coli and other bacteria in the Seine to rise. Paris experienced a downpour during the Olympic opening ceremony Friday, with rain continuing into Saturday. The swimming portion of training events meant to let the triathletes familiarize themselves with the course was canceled on both Sunday and Monday because of concerns over water quality.
The decision to postpone the men’s triathlon followed a meeting early Tuesday morning that included the sport’s governing body, World Triathlon, its medical team and city officials.
The event is now scheduled to start at 10:45 a.m., which may make heat a factor. Wednesday’s high temperature is forecast to be 95 F (35 C), and the event may be finishing at the hottest part of the day.
Organizers and city officials had expressed confidence that bacteria levels would improve as skies cleared and temperatures warmed in the days that followed, but that apparently wasn’t sufficient to ensure the athletes’ safety.
( Source: AP)
