After a tense few days filled with uncertainty and delays, the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics triathlon will include swimming in the Seine River. Concerns about high bacteria levels had led to postponements, but recent tests have shown that the water quality now meets the required standards.
The triathlon events, both men’s and women’s, are scheduled to take place on Wednesday. This decision comes after an ambitious €1.4 billion project aimed at cleaning up the Seine, which has long been plagued by pollution. The initiative included infrastructure improvements, such as the construction of a giant basin to capture excess rainwater and upgrades to wastewater treatment plants.
While the decision is a significant victory for Paris and the Olympics organizers, it wasn’t without controversy. Previous test events were canceled, and the men’s race, initially planned for Tuesday, was pushed to align with the women’s race on Wednesday.
Officials remained optimistic throughout, despite not releasing detailed data on E. coli levels until recently. High levels of this bacteria can indicate sewage contamination, posing health risks if ingested.
Aurélie Merle, the Paris 2024 director of sports, highlighted the rigorous testing process, which takes place 21.5 hours before any decisions. Although results showed some sites still above the safety threshold, the hope is that recent warm weather will further improve water quality.
If issues persist, marathon swimming events could be relocated to the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium. However, for now, athletes are gearing up to swim in the iconic Seine, marking a historic moment for the Paris Olympics.
