The men’s individual triathlon at Paris 2024 was put off due to health risks, as tests revealed poor water quality in the River Seine.
The race was due to start at (08:00 local time) on Tuesday, but it is postponed till Wednesday at (10:45 local time), following the conclusion of the women’s event.
“Tests carried out in the Seine today revealed water quality did not provide sufficient guarantees to allow the event to be held,” World Triathlon said.
Swimming training sessions were previously cancelled on Sunday and Monday because of the same reason, as the water was impacted by recent heavy rainfall.
Friday, August 2 is the back-up date for both races, while organisers indicated a possible resort to a duathlon instead, that is, the cycling and running legs only.
Tests on the water quality in the Seine continue, hoping to host the triathlon mixed relay on August 5, the Olympic marathon swimming on August 9 & 10, and the Para-triathlon event at the Paralympics, which start on August 28.
Organisers said about 1.4bn euros has been spent on a regeneration project to make the Seine safe for swimming after 100 years of ban.
