PARIS — Concerns about the water quality in the Seine led officials to call off the swimming portion of an Olympic triathlon training session for a second straight day Monday.
Organizers overseeing the event at the Paris Games are optimistic that triathletes will be able to swim in the city's famed waterway when the competition starts Tuesday.
The sport's governing body, World Triathlon, its medical team and city officials are banking on sunny weather and higher temperatures to bring the bacteria levels below the necessary limits to stage the swim portion of the race, which also includes biking and running.
World Triathlon made the decision to cancel the swim workout early Monday following a meeting over water quality in the Seine, which is closely linked to the weather. Rain deluged Friday's opening ceremony, and showers persisted Saturday, forcing some tennis matches and the skateboarding competition to be canceled.
The representatives for Paris 2024 and triathlon's international federation said tests conducted in the Seine on Sunday showed water quality levels that «did not provide sufficient guarantees to allow the event to be held.» The delegation blamed the recent rain.
French Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra told French news channel CNEWS on Monday that officials are «absolutely serene about all of this.» The plans they put in place to control bacteria levels in the river have been effective, but the weather is beyond their control, she said.
The recent rain contributed to the water quality concerns, but she said she believed things would improve.
«I am confident in the fact that we will be able to be there tomorrow for the men's triathlon event,» she said.
Organizers say the backup plan is to postpone the
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Amelie Oudea-Castera