Olympic triathletes begin swimming in Seine after days of concerns over water quality
PARIS — On a morning that started in the rain, the Olympic triathlons took place in progress Wednesday as women dove into the Seine to begin the swim after days of delays and uncertainty over water quality issues.
The athletes started their race near the Pont Alexandre III, which spans the famous Parisian waterway. The rain eased as the athletes took to the water. Some triathletes dipped their goggles into the Seine before donning them and heading toward the river with the Eiffel Tower in the background.
The decision to host swimming for the triathlon competitions is a major victory for the city, the Olympic organizers and athletesAuthorities have embarked on an ambitious plan, including 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion) in infrastructure improvements, to clean up the long-polluted Seine and have been consistent in their insistence that the swimming portion of the triathlon and next week’s marathon swim events can be held safely in the river.
Organizers said Wednesday morning that the latest tests on the water showed it met quality standards. But the morning rain may have changed those figures.
“The problem is always worse when there’s heavy rain, because the drains get clogged and the runoff goes into the Seine,” says Dr. Nicole Iovine, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Florida. “They’ve done a lot to try to improve the water quality. But the truth is, we’re at the mercy of Mother Nature.”
The women then stood near the barges and boats that line the banks of the river. Spectators watched and cheered from stands along the banks and from bridges that span the waterway. Defending Olympic champion Flora Duffy of Bermuda was the first out of the water, taking about 22 minutes to complete the 1.5-kilometre course.
After swimming two laps in the Seine, the athletes emerged from the water and climbed a flight of stairs to jump on their bikes and ride through the soggy streets of Paris, including the iconic Champs-Élysées. There were several falls and crashes early in the bike race.
High levels of bacteria in the river delayed the men’s race originally scheduled for Tuesday See you on Wednesdaywhile the women’s competition had been scheduled. The men were scheduled to start about three hours after the women’s race. Test events were intended to allow athletes to familiarize themselves with the course had already been cancelled for the same reason Sunday and Monday.
THE Seine water quality is directly affected by rainfall which can cause wastewater runoff into the river. Heavy rains have fallen during Friday Olympic Games Opening Ceremonyand the rain continued for most of the day Saturday.
Every day since Sunday, even as organizers announced cancellations or postponements, they continued to express his confidence that swimming in the Seine would go ahead as planned the next day. For several days, they did not make public data on levels of E. coli and other bacteria that contributed to their decisions.
High levels of E. coli in water can indicate sewage contamination. Most strains are harmless, and some live in the intestines of healthy people and animals. But others can be dangerous. Just one sip of contaminated water can cause diarrhea, and the germ can cause illnesses such as urinary tract or intestinal infections.
Daily water quality tests measure levels of fecal E. coli bacteria. water safety instructions and a European Union of 2006 directive Experts have given a range of E. coli levels from “excellent” to “adequate.” Anything above 900 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters is not considered safe or “adequate.” But experts have stressed that these numbers are only guidelines used to assess risk.
Additionally, Paris 2024 sports director Aurélie Merle told reporters Tuesday that water samples are taken 21 1/2 hours before decisions about the swim are made, leaving some uncertainty about their accuracy on race day.
On Tuesday, Merle said the test results showed that “we are very close to the threshold for the triathlon.” She noted that one of four testing sites along the triathlon course was below the threshold for E. coli. Two other sites were just above the limit and one was higher, she said, citing a range of 980 to 1,553.
“We know that sun and heat have a very strong impact on water quality,” she said, hoping that a heat wave that hits most of France Tuesday would help improve the water quality enough for swimming to take place.
Organizers said the marathon swimming races, scheduled for August 8 and 9, could be relocated, if necessary, to the Stade nautique de Vaires-sur-Marne, near Paris, which already hosts rowing and canoeing competitions and can accommodate up to 15,000 spectators.
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