A hefty $1.5 billion effort aimed at rejuvenating Paris’ historic sewer system and ensuring the Seine river is swim-ready for the 2024 Summer Olympics is faltering, throwing the swimming events into uncertainty.
Recent cleanliness concerns forced the postponement of the men’s triathlon originally scheduled for Tuesday, although organizers remain hopeful to proceed after a major cleanup effort.
The men’s triathlon is now set for Wednesday, joining the women’s event if water tests confirm safe levels of E. coli and other potential contaminants. A backup option is slated for Friday.
Complicating matters, heavy rain and thunderstorms are predicted from Tuesday night through Thursday. Such downpours often spike bacteria levels in the Seine, similar to the effects seen on the day of the Opening Ceremony.
Triathlete Seth Rider expressed disappointment over the delays, but remains optimistic, saying, “I hope we can have a triathlon and I can accomplish this dream I’ve had since childhood.”
For over a century, swimming in the polluted Seine has been forbidden. To highlight its commitment as an Olympics host, Paris aimed to clean the river, reassuring skeptical locals of the project’s advantages. The city allocated significant funds towards creating a large basin to control excess rainwater and prevent untreated sewage from entering the river, alongside modernizing the sewage system and enhancing water treatment facilities.
Mayor Anne Hidalgo has passionately supported the cleanup, even taking a symbolic swim in the Seine to showcase her belief in the initiative’s success.
“Our goal is to create an Olympic legacy,” said Pierre Rabadan, the deputy mayor overseeing the project. “So that everyone can swim in the Seine,” he added.
Possible Cancellation of Swimming Events
Despite all efforts, relentless rain hit central Paris on Friday, causing disruptions right before and during the Opening Ceremony, while also canceling training events for the triathletes on both Sunday and Monday over water quality issues.
While organizers were hopeful that weather improvements would enhance water quality, safety checks conducted on Tuesday still revealed concerning bacteria levels.
“Although recent readings showed some improvement, several areas of the swim course still exceed acceptable limits,” organizers noted, emphasizing their commitment to athlete safety.
If water safety remains an issue, the swimming segment might be cut, allowing only for cycling and running portions, similar to alterations made in last year’s European Championships in Madrid due to water quality problems.
Daily tests gauge E. coli levels to assess sewage contamination. Most strains of E. coli are harmless, but some can lead to health risks, including gastrointestinal issues. Testing is guided by World Triathlon’s safety standards and European Union regulations, which mark the safe E. coli level at 900 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters. On Tuesday, one testing site reported acceptable levels, yet two were just above the limit, and another was significantly higher, ranging from 980 to 1,553.
Concerns linger among experts and residents, as a recent poll revealed that 70% of those surveyed felt negatively about the Seine, citing it as dirty, polluted, and unpleasant.