Marathon Swimming Familiarization Session Canceled Due to Water Pollution
Breaking News: The marathon swimming familiarization session slated for today, August 6, 2024, in the River Seine has been canceled. This decision comes amidst concerns about water quality, specifically regarding bacterial contamination.
The cancellation was announced by World Aquatics following a critical meeting involving Ville de Paris, Paris 2024, and World Aquatics. According to their statement, while E. Coli bacteria levels were reported to be within acceptable limits, concerns were raised about another type of bacteria, Enterococci.
E. Coli Levels: The review indicated that E. Coli levels ranged from 326 to 517 CFU (colony-forming units) at the four collection points measured early in the morning on August 5. These levels are classified from "very good" to "good," which is reassuring.
Enterococci Concerns: Despite the favorable E. Coli results, the Enterococci levels did not meet the standards. The most recent samples of Enterococci, taken between 12:30 and 13:20 on August 4, showed levels that exceeded World Aquatics' maximum thresholds. This discrepancy led to the cancellation of the session as a precautionary measure.
Paris 2024 organizers are treating this as a cautious but necessary step. Anne Descamps, a spokesperson for the Paris 2024 team, assured that there will be another familiarization session scheduled for Wednesday. The hope is that water conditions will improve in the meantime.
Triathlon Training Sessions Affected: In addition to the marathon swimming session, training for the swim leg of the triathlon has also been canceled. The men's race was postponed last minute due to elevated bacteria levels in the river. However, the triathlon mixed relay went off as planned on Monday after a green light from organizers the previous day. The adjustment demonstrates the organizers' commitment to ensuring certainty and safety for athletes.
Investments in Water Quality: French authorities have invested significantly in upgrading the capital's sewage systems, with a staggering 1.4 billion euros (about $1.53 billion) allocated to this effort. The goal is to ensure that the Seine will be clean enough for swimming by the summer of 2025.
Fallback Plan: Should the water quality remain unsuitable for swimming, a "fallback plan" is in place. The alternative location is the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, which hosts rowing and canoeing competitions. This plan will ensure that the marathon swimming events can proceed without disruption if needed.
Upcoming Events: The women's and men's marathon swim races are scheduled for Thursday and Friday. Organizers are optimistic that the water conditions will improve in time for these key events.
Looking Ahead: Despite this setback, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and success of the upcoming events. The meticulous planning and alternative arrangements highlight the organizers' dedication to delivering a smooth and successful competition.
Reporters' Notes: This update was reported by Karolos Grohmann and Julien Pretot, with editing by Peter Rutherford and Christian Radnedge.
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