Anna Meares strongly doubts water quality worries will stop any Olympian from competing in the River Seine at the Games.
Rain is the enemy as the Australian Olympic team and Games officials keep a watchful eye on the river's pollution levels ahead of the Games.
While Meares, the Australian team chef de mission, is confident the triathlon and open water events will go ahead as planned in the river, water quality is a significant issue.
If there is rain upstream immediately before each event, it could make the water too unsafe for competition.
There are contingency plans for the triathlons to become duathlons, or bike-run events, if the swim cannot be held.
But if the competitions go ahead, Meares doubts any competitors will opt out.
"It's not a point of us stepping in and saying 'we will not let you swim'. Ultimately it's the choice of the athlete," she said.
"Try standing in front of an Olympian, who's trained for their whole life ... and tell them 'no' - not going to happen.
"We're not going to put them in an environment which puts their well-being at risk.
"At the moment we're happy with what information we have received and the competitions will go ahead in the River Seine."
Asked if she would swim in the Seine, Australian team medical director, Dr Carolyn Broderick, replied: "It's variable - I'd want to see what it looks like on the day."
She noted water quality was also an issue at the Rio and Tokyo Games and they would have measures in place for athletes, such as antibiotics and anti-bacterial washes.
Speaking at an Australian Olympic Committee briefing on Wednesday, Dr Broderick added the team had a 90 per cent reduction in infections at the Tokyo Games because of health measures.
She said they are encouraging team members to stay vigilant for Paris, with simple tips such as hand sanitising and wearing masks in crowded areas.
"Simple measures work, in terms of reducing infectious disease," she said.
"It's just those one percenters that make a difference in sport."
Unlike Tokyo, a positive COVID-19 test will not automatically stop a team member from competing.
