Heavy rains in Paris have caused wastewater and runoff to flow into the Seine River, resulting in an increase in bacteria levels, including E. Coli. This has led to concerns about water quality for the Paralympic triathlon competitions scheduled for Sunday.
The 11 para triathlon events have been postponed until Monday, pending upcoming water testing results. The decision to delay the events was made as a precautionary measure due to the heavy rainfall and subsequent rise in bacteria levels.
Paris Deputy Mayor Pierre Rabadan explained that the initial schedule change for the para triathlon events was due to rain forecasts, which prompted the move to Sunday. However, further rainfall over the weekend led to the decision to postpone the events to Monday.
This disruption is a setback for Paris’ efforts to clean up the Seine River for future public swimming, a key promise ahead of the upcoming Olympics and Paralympics. The city has faced challenges with water quality, leading to delays and cancellations of various events.
Despite the setbacks, Rabadan expressed optimism about the prospects of the Paralympic triathlons taking place on Monday. He emphasized the importance of scientific results in determining the feasibility of the competitions.
Lazreg Benel-Hadj, vice president of the French Swimming Federation, reassured that any illnesses among athletes who swam in the Seine during the Olympics were not linked to the water quality.
Rabadan affirmed the city’s commitment to continue hosting athletic events in the river beyond the Paralympics, citing the positive feedback from athletes and the potential for improved water quality in the future.
