Amidst days of uncertainty over water quality in the long-polluted Seine River, Olympic triathletes took the plunge on Monday morning for the mixed relay event. The decision to hold the swimming portion of the triathlons and marathon swimming events in the Seine was a bold move, considering that swimming in the river has been largely prohibited since 1923 due to its toxic nature.
After a series of meetings involving World Triathlon, the International Olympic Committee, Paris Games organizers, and regional authorities, it was determined that the water quality at the triathlon site had improved and met the required standards for the event to proceed. This decision followed Belgium's announcement of withdrawing its team from the mixed relay triathlon due to a competitor falling ill after swimming in the river, although it was unclear if her illness was related to the swim.
Paris invested 1.4 billion euros in infrastructure improvements to clean up the Seine River, including the construction of a basin to prevent wastewater from entering the river, sewer upgrades, and wastewater treatment plant enhancements. Despite challenges posed by heavy rains during the Games leading to elevated levels of fecal bacteria in the river, organizers remained optimistic that warm temperatures and sunlight would help mitigate the risks.
Athletes had already swum in the river for the men's and women's individual triathlons earlier in the week, with the men's race being delayed due to water quality concerns. Daily water quality tests were conducted to monitor levels of fecal bacteria, particularly E. coli, with specific guidelines in place to determine the suitability of the water for competitions.
The triathlon mixed relay event features four-person teams comprising two men and two women, each covering distances of 300 meters for swimming, 6.8 kilometers for cycling, and 2 kilometers for running. Despite the challenges posed by water quality issues, athletes demonstrated resilience and determination as they competed in this unique and challenging environment.
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