The Men’s triathlon event at the 2024 Summer Olympics was postponed to Wednesday in lieu of pollution concerns with the Seine River. An inspection took place at 3:30 am on Tuesday morning and concluded after a water quality test that the persistent heavy rains on Friday and Saturday had dirtied the waters. The decision was then taken to reschedule the race for 10:45 am on Wednesday after the women’s race.
A joint statement from the organizing bodies and local authorities stated, “Considering the latest weather information, it has been decided to schedule the men’s triathlon event on 31 July at 10:45. The women’s triathlon is due to take place the same day at 8 am.
“Both triathlons are subject to the forthcoming water tests complying with the established World Triathlon thresholds for swimming. The original contingency day also remains in place for August 2, for further considerations. Paris 2024 and World Triathlon reiterate that their priority is the health of the athletes. The tests carried out in the Seine today revealed water quality levels that did not provide sufficient guarantees to allow the event to be held.
Unfortunately, meteorological events beyond our control, such as the rain which fell over Paris on 26 and 27 July, can alter water quality and compel us to reschedule the event for health reasons. Despite the improvement on the water quality levels in the last hours, the readings at some points of the swim course are still above the acceptable limits.”
With 55 triathletes now anxiously waiting, it is also to be noted that the weather forecast for Wednesday contains thunder and lightning.
This is sadly only the latest addition to a growing pile of issues and controversies at Paris 2024. Even before the start of the games we had the contentious decision of allowing Israel to participate despite the ongoing situation in Palestine, as well as the proposed removal of the bouquinistes (French booksellers) who had a distinct presence along the banks of the Seine river. Resident Parisians also expressed dismay at the disruption they faced in their day to day lives.
At a training camp for the New Zealand women’s football team, a drone was spotted flying overhead. It was later discovered that the drone was used for spying on the team by Canadian national team analyst Joseph Lombardi. This led to the arrest of Lombardi as well as an unaccredited member of the Canadian contingent.
Furthermore, this incident exposed what is said to be a spying ring operating within Canadian football for years. In addition, the team base of the Argentinian national football team was robbed in the run up to their loss to Morocco.
The Opening ceremony itself was a mess, with persistent rains thoroughly dampening the mood. Some of the bigger misfires include South Korea being introduced as North Korea and the Olympic flag being raised upside down during the Olympic Hymn.
All in all, the IOC and the Games organizing committee will hope that this latest fiasco will be the last and that the rest of the games go smoothly.