Picture Credit: X
Although the quadrennial Summer Games must have kickstarted with an extravagant opening ceremony in river Seine in the French capital city of Paris on Friday, July 26, it has also been marred with several controversies. While the controversies began just ahead of the opening ceremony, it continued on Day 2 of the Games with the first triathlon training being called off due to pollution in river Seine.
Yes, you read it right. The first triathlon training of the Summer Games was cancelled by the organisers because of fears around pollution in the river, as reported by AFP. A statement by the Paris 2024 and World Triathlon read that after a meeting “on water quality” and tests, “a joint decision was taken to cancel the swimming part of the triathlon orientation.” “The rain that has fallen on Paris over the last 24 hours is likely to impact the quality of water in the Seine over the next 24 to 36 hours. Depending on current water quality levels and the conditions expected over the next 24 hours, it is possible that the familiarisation (athlete training) scheduled for Sunday, July 28 at 8 a.m. may be cancelled,” the statement read.
Organisers confident over resumption of triathlon training in river Seine
However, the organisers remain confident that the training will resume as the things get better. They added that the decision on training will be taken around 4 a.m. (0200 GMT) on Sunday. “We are nonetheless confident in our ability to organise the events as planned from 30 July. Given the weather forecast for the next 48 hours, we expect the water quality to return to below limits withing the next 24 to 36 hours,” the statement further read.
“As observed in July, with summer conditions (more sunshine, higher temperatures, prolonged absence of rain) water quality is improving significantly,” it further added
