The triathlon competitions proceeded in Paris on Wednesday after initial concerns over water quality in the River Seine delayed the men’s race.
Overcoming Water Quality Worries
The race was greenlit following an overnight rainfall, with World Triathlon and Paris 2024 confirming the water was safe for both men’s and women’s races. “Following a meeting on water quality held on 31 July at 3:30 a.m., the stakeholders confirmed that the triathlons will go ahead as planned,” stated Paris 2024 and World Triathlon.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo celebrated the victory: “The pollution has been cleaned up. We couldn’t have had people swimming this morning if the infrastructure wasn’t built.” She added that once considered “almost a sewer,” the river now had “excellent” water quality.
Women’s Race Drama
The women’s triathlon saw several bike crashes due to wet streets. Vittoria Lopes of Brazil, a leader in the race, fell out of contention after slipping. France’s Cassandre Beaugrand claimed the victory, cheered on by a patriotic French crowd singing ‘La Marseillaise.’
Julie Derron of Switzerland, who won silver, expressed trust in the organizers: “We know they took samples this morning. We trust the authorities and organizers to keep us safe.”
Men’s Race Heroics
Team GB’s Alex Yee delivered a spectacular finish in the men’s race, overtaking New Zealand’s Hayden Wilde in the final stretch to claim gold. Reflecting on the race, Yee said, “We’re lucky enough to have probably the most beautiful venue of any race in the Olympics. Fair play to France and the government for cleaning the Seine.”
Efforts to Ensure Safety
Heavy rains had previously raised water quality concerns, leading to the cancellation of training sessions. Despite this, Paris officials invested about $1.5 billion to clean the river, including creating the Austerlitz basin, successfully preventing wastewater from contaminating the Seine.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and the French sports minister swam in the Seine to demonstrate its cleanliness. Hidalgo also promised to install a swimming pool in the river after the Games.
The Impact of Rainfall
Despite the improvements, water quality remains volatile. For example, E. coli levels spiked following rain on June 30, highlighting the ongoing challenge. World Triathlon standards stipulate that E. coli levels must remain below 1000 CFU/100mL for the swim leg to proceed.
The triathlon races involve a 1.5-kilometer swim, a 40-k bike race, and a 10-K run, showcasing Paris landmarks such as Le Grand Palais and the Champs-Élysées. A mixed-team relay features a shorter but equally challenging course.
The successful execution of the Olympic triathlon in Paris, despite water quality concerns, underscores the city’s commitment to hosting a world-class event. As Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo noted, “We won our bet.” This event highlights athletic excellence and Paris’s determination to transform the Seine into a symbol of environmental achievement.
