Olympic triathlon for men delayed due to unsafe swimming conditions in Seine River

The men’s triathlon race at the Olympics has been postponed due to unsafe water conditions in the Seine River. The race was rescheduled to Wednesday after the women’s triathlon. The organizers are considering moving the race to Friday as a backup plan. Efforts to clean up the river have not been sufficient, as E. coli levels remain high, especially after rainstorms. Unsafe levels of fecal matter in the water can cause gastrointestinal disease. The weather is a factor in the water quality, as sunlight can help inactivate bacteria. Plans for upcoming events, such as the mixed relay triathlon and marathon swimming, are contingent on improving conditions. Swimming in the Seine has been banned for about a century due to contamination, and recent tests have shown high pollution levels. Despite efforts to showcase the river’s cleanliness, independent testing has revealed ongoing contamination issues. The postponement of the triathlon race due to the river’s conditions underscores the challenges of ensuring safe water quality for Olympic events.

Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com