Days before the triathletes are set to compete in the Paris Olympics, concerns arise about the safety of swimming in the Seine River. The swimming portion of the triathlon and the marathon swimming event are expected to take place in the river flowing through Paris. The men’s triathlon is scheduled for Tuesday, followed by the women’s event on Wednesday and a mixed relay on August 5.
Water quality in the Seine is dependent on the weather, and recent heavy rain has raised worries about the river’s safety for swimming. Despite the city’s efforts which included spending 1.4 billion euros to improve water quality, bacteria levels, measured by E. coli, remain a concern.
American triathlete Taylor Spivey mentioned at a press conference that she and her teammates have been taking precautions to protect themselves from potential illnesses. Another American athlete, Seth Rider, recalled the test event held in the river last year without any issues, providing some reassurance.
A Spanish triathlete, Antonio Serrat, echoed the positive experience from the previous year’s test event and expressed hope for a similar scenario this time. However, an open-water swimming World Cup event had to be canceled earlier due to untreated waste overflows into the Seine after heavy rain.
USA Triathlon’s Scott Schnitzspahn acknowledged Paris’ efforts to clean up the river and ensure the athletes’ safety. Contingency plans are in place in case the water quality does not meet safety standards on the event day, with the possibility of postponing races or switching to a duathlon if necessary.
Despite the uncertainties, athletes like Alberto Gonzalez from Spain remain hopeful and trust the Olympic organization to make the right decisions. The triathletes are prepared for any scenario, with Spivey emphasizing the importance of all three disciplines in the event.
