French president Emmanuel Macron praised the city of Paris and regional authorities for their efforts in hosting the triathlon competition. Macron expressed his excitement as the women's event kicked off, highlighting the significant progress made in making the Seine River swimmable.
Macron credited the substantial investment by the French government, along with collaboration between Paris and the Val-de-Marne department, for achieving the feat in just four years. He emphasized that this accomplishment, once deemed impossible a century ago, now allows the people of Île-de-France to enjoy swimming in the Seine, benefiting both the residents and biodiversity.
The women's race saw local favorite Cassandre Beaugrand clinch the gold medal for France, showcasing the host nation's success in the competition. Meanwhile, Marten Van Riel of Belgium took the lead in the men's race, currently navigating the cycling leg of the event.
