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Paris 2024: Triathlon training cancelled because of River Seine pollution
Image source, EPA
A training event for the Olympic triathlon at the 2024 Paris Games has been cancelled because of pollution in the River Seine.
The swimming event in the triathlon, which also sees athletes take part in long distance running and cycling, is currently planned to take place in Paris' iconic river.
However, after tests showed that the water quality was not safe enough to swim in, World Triathlon and the Paris 2024 team made a joint decision to cancel Sunday's training session.
If the water still isn't up to standard by the time the triathlon event starts on Tuesday 30 July, then the swimming could be either postponed or moved to Vaires-sur-Marne, on the Marne river east of Paris.
Image source, Reuters
The River Seine has had a long history to shake off to get ready for swimming.
For 100 years, swimming was banned in the river because of the levels of pollution in the water that could make people ill.
Just a few weeks ago, it was declared clean enough to swim in for the competition, but organisers have blamed the weather in recent days for the increased pollution.
When it rains heavily, untreated sewage can be washed into the river.
The training sessions for both the cycling and running will go ahead as planned, but athletes will have to wait a little longer before they can take a dip in the Seine.