Paris 2024 Paralympics: Seine water quality issues resurface for para triathletes

All 11 medal events are to be held on one day, September 1, instead of two as originally planned, Paris 2024 organizers said in a statement.

Athletes in action as they swim in the river Seine. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Concerns over water quality in the Seine River resurfaced at the Paralympic Games when organizers changed the schedule for para triathlon races.

All 11 medal events are to be held on one day, September 1, instead of two as originally planned, Paris 2024 organizers said in a statement.

“The decision to hold all medal events on one day was taken in view of the weather forecast and to provide athletes and coaches with as much certainty as possible. The course of the swim remains unchanged,” organizers said.

Water quality in the Seine River was also a major issue at the Olympics. Bacteria levels in the long-polluted Paris waterway fluctuate constantly depending on weather. Heavy rains cause wastewater and runoff to flow into the river, causing bacteria levels to rise.

The organizers said the river’s water quality and flow will continue to be monitored each day and that decisions on preparatory swims for para triathletes to train over the next couple of days, and on the morning of Sept. 1, will be made before each event.

Organizers said events can be pushed back to Sept. 2 and 3 “if needed.” Thursday’s familiarization swims took place as planned in the morning.