Test results released Thursday showed improving conditions in the Seine River a few weeks before the Paris Olympics begin later this month, but organizers nevertheless announced their backup plan for open water swimming just in case.
With rains letting up last week, enterococci and E. coli bacteria were found to be below the allowable limits on six of the nine days between June 24 and July 2. The results of the previous test last month revealed unsafe levels of E. coli in four different areas for the third week in a row, including 10 times above acceptable limits on June 18.
After facing criticism for months from open water swimmers, Paris 2024 organizers finally announced their “Plan B.” If the Seine River is still unsafe for swimming next month, open water events will be held just outside of Paris at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, which is already hosting rowing and canoe competitions this summer. Meanwhile, the backup plan for the triathlon events would be to just shorten the triathlon to a duathlon.
Open water swimming is set to take place in the Seine River from August 8-9 while the swimming portion of the triathlon competition is scheduled for July 30-31 and August 5 (mixed relay).
One of the major features of France’s $1.5 billion clean-up effort is a 50,000 cubic meter reservoir that finally operated for the first time on June 18 and 19. The water tank prevented 40,000 cubic meters of wastewater from entering the Seine. Paris 2024 organizers insist that the Seine will be safe for competition with drier weather in the forecast for July.
Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo recently postponed plans to swim in the Seine on Sunday, instead rescheduling for July 14. Local Parisians spread news of a protest on the internet, encouraging others to defecate in the river.
French president Emmanuel Macron also committed to take a dip in the Seine. Swimming in the river has been banned for over a century since 1923, but it is slated to reopen to the public at certain sites beginning in 2025.
Last summer’s test events in the Seine were cancelled due to poor water quality, which officials later attributed to a faulty sewer valve upstream.
A 76-year-old American celebrated the Fourth of July on Thursday by swimming in the Seine River, later giving an interview to the Associated Press in which he called the water “fantastic.”
“I may regret having swum,” Joel Stratte McClure said. “But if I come back alive, it will prove that the French have done a good job cleaning up the river. I think the president organized new elections to avoid swimming in the Seine.”
Say NON to swimming in river Seine
A reminder/cautionary tale via timeline…
September 13, 2017: Paris is officially confirmed as the host for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
August 8-9, 2024: Marathon Swimming, in the Seine, at the 2024 Olympics.
July 5, 2024: French/IOC information campaign about improving conditions of the Seine… a venue chosen 7 years ago. This is not acceptable. Our athletes deserve better. They deserve protection and peace of mind as they prepare to enter the biggest race of their lives. We should not be celebrating “improving conditions,” but rather, questioning why we’re skeptical of the conditions in the first place.
If the water quality is in doubt on the biggest stage in… Read more »
Bruh a duathalon? Srsly??
I suspect a Duathlon qualifying race for each nation could have produced different athletes to represent that nation so how can the option to remove the swimming part of the triathlon in Paris be seen as fair for all athletes involved (including the potential duathlon athletes left at home)? Absolutely barbaric nonsense, do the organisers have no morals or understanding of what these athletes put themselves through and what opportunities result from success at these games? The organisers can literally change the course of some athlete’s life with this decision (for better and for worse!!!) This is absolutely ridiculous and I cannot for one second understand how the Triathlon governing body and the Olympics movement allow this to happen.
For… Read more »
It’s actually Plan C … Plan B involves alternative days/times on the Seine … and kudos to the AQUA leadership team that has refused to let this issue fade away … thanks to Brent and his team for having our swimmers’ backs!
I wonder how she would have done with Fishers training? Adjacent community to Carmel.
Wrong article perhaps?
Yaya for the swimming. Boo for the triathlon. How can getting rid of 33% of the disciplines in an event be allowed? The triathlon governing body needs to start raising hell.
Ehh the swimming in the triathlon is such a minimal part. I don’t understand why they can’t arrange a pool swim time trial and do some sort of tapered start based on the time trials
That’s long been my critique of Triathlons… the swimming is de minimis. I would love to see the distances reapportioned to give equal weight to each.
The IOC mantra is always it seems: “don’t complain or say anything negative….or else”.
Well if you ruin the event I have been possibly training my entire life for — I think the athletes then get the right to consider that little threat null and void.
My hope is that if it ends up as a Duathlon the athletes voice their displeasure LOUDLY any time there is media present to broadcast it.
They will have earned the right to do so and the IOC and Paris organizers can go pound sand.