A test run for Olympic athletes to familiarize themselves with the marathon swimming course in the Seine River was canceled due to concerns about water quality in the Paris waterway. The decision to cancel the exercise was made by World Aquatics at an early morning meeting. Fluctuating bacteria levels in the long-polluted waterway have been a consistent worry during the Games, with the swimming portion of the triathlon and the marathon swimming events both set to take place in the river.
Another marathon swimming test event is planned for Wednesday, with organizers to decide early that morning whether it will proceed. The women's marathon swim is scheduled for Thursday, followed by the men's race on Friday.
The cancellation of Tuesday's marathon swimming test event follows the triathlon mixed relay event held in the river the day before. World Triathlon released data indicating that the levels of fecal bacteria E. coli and enterococci were within acceptable limits for the length of the triathlon relay course when the triathletes swam on Monday.
The swimming portion of the triathlon and the marathon swim both start and finish at the Pont Alexandre III, but the marathon swimming course extends farther down the river. Marathon swimmers complete laps on the course for a total of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles).
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