Concerns about the river were the order of the day before the start of the Games and continue during the competitions.
After the French Minister of Sport and the Mayor of Paris swimming in the SeineWater quality concerns continue during the Olympic Games. A reconnaissance training session for the swimming phase before the triathlon was canceled this Sunday by the organizers of the Games. The decision was made after a meeting on water quality.
Bathing in the Seine was banned more than a century ago, largely because of the poor quality of the water. Organizers of the Paris Games invested in preparing the Seine for the competitions, and the government claimed the river would be clean enough for the swimming portion of the triathlon and aquatic marathon.
Rain during the opening ceremony has rekindled concerns. The quality of the Seine’s water is deeply linked to the climate of the French capital.
Since 2015, organizers have invested heavily in cleaning the Seine for the Games and ensuring Parisians have a cleaner river after the games. The plan included building a giant underground water storage basin in the center of Paris, renovating sewer infrastructure, and modernizing wastewater treatment plants.
Triathletes expressed hope that the waters would be clean enough for them to swim. “I hope we can swim, bike and run, because I don’t train much swimming for running and biking,” said Spanish triathlete Alberto Gonzalez.
The men’s triathlon is scheduled for Tuesday, and the women’s on Wednesday. The aquatic marathon is scheduled for August 8 and 9. Brazil’s Ana Marcela Cunha is the current Olympic champion in the event.
Source: Terra
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