Men's Olympic Triathlon Postponed Due to Poor Water Quality in Seine

The individual men’s triathlon event at the 2024 Paris Olympics has been postponed due to poor water quality in the River Seine, according to a statement from World Triathlon. The race, which was originally slated to take place at 8 a.m. Paris time on July 30, will now be held after the individual women’s race on July 31, officials said.

The announcement comes after both days of pre-race training swims in the Seine were cancelled due to water pollution. Despite unacceptable E. coli and enterococci levels in the Seine in the days leading up to the event and concerns of high water flow, race officials were optimistic the men’s race would go on as planned. That sentiment was reversed after water testing conducted in the early hours of July 30 by officials, which revealed unsafe conditions for swimmers.

“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,” said an official statement from World Triathlon. “Despite the improvement of water quality levels over the last hours, the readings at some points of the swim course are still above the acceptable limits.”

“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.”

Men’s triathlon race rescheduled at Paris 2024 Olympics

The individual men’s race has been postponed to 10:45 a.m. Paris time on July 31 (4:45 a.m. ET/1:45 a.m. PT). However, this is contingent upon water quality once more; tests will be conducted at 3:30 a.m. Paris time on race morning to determine whether E. coli and enterococci levels fall within acceptable levels. If water quality levels are not acceptable (or water flow is considered too rapid), race officials may postpone both races to August 2 or change the format to a duathlon.

To be considered safe for swimming, enterococci must not be more than 200 parts per 100ml, and E. coli not more than 500 parts per 100ml. A full water quality decision-making matrix is outlined in this article.

Updated information regarding tickets and broadcast of the events on July 31 will be made available later today.