Triathlon events at the Paralympic Games were postponed on Sunday morning, four hours before competition was to begin, with poor water quality in the River Seine once again making it unsafe for athletes.
Staging the swimming leg of the triathlon in the Seine was one of the most eye-catching offerings of Paris 2024, part of the promise to make the Games “open”. But concerns over the water quality have proven well-founded, with the event being postponed because of high levels of pollution, first at the Olympics and now the Paralympics.
A reluctance to delay the event led organisers to insist the races would be going ahead on Sunday until 3.30am, Paris time. It was only then that a meeting between executives from World Triathlon and Paris 2024 confirmed the postponement. When the scheduled start time of 7.30am arrived, there were bemused fans crossing the Ponte Alexandre III unaware the event had been delayed.
“The latest tests show a decrease in water quality in the river following the rain episodes over the last two days,” a statement from World Triathlon read, saying the events would go ahead on Monday if the water tests complied with “established World Triathlon thresholds”. A previous decision had brought events forward from Monday to Sunday because of potential deteriorating water quality.
“Paris 2024 and World Triathlon reiterate that their priority is the health of the athletes and with these conditions, the triathlon events cannot take place today,” the statement said.
Paralympics GB have strong medal hopes in the triathlon, with Lauren Steadman hoping to retain her title in the women’s PTS5 category. The GB team leader for para triathlon, Tom Hodgkinson, said he supported the decision to postpone but acknowledged disappointment at the outcome, with athletes having gone to bed expecting to race.
“The postponement is naturally disappointing, however we know it has been made for the right reason,” he said. “We work with the athletes to be best prepared, and that includes their ability to adapt to the circumstances they face.
“When the time comes to race, we know that athletes and staff will have done everything possible to make it a successful Paralympic Games.”
Test results on Saturday had shown acceptable levels for racing but Paris 2024 officials had acknowledged that they could dip further with more rain, after heavy downpours hit Paris on Friday and Saturday. Weather forecasts suggest dry and warm weather will now follow for the next few days. Images of the Paris mayor, Anne Hidalgo, swimming in the Seine in July to prove its safety now seem a long time ago, however.
