**Kenya: Team Triathlon Practice Swim in Seine Cancelled**
Paris, France — The practice swim session scheduled for Monday’s mixed team triathlon has been cancelled for the second consecutive day at Paris 2024. The decision to cancel the swim familiarisation, initially set for 07:00 BST, was made by Olympic organisers due to substandard water quality in the River Seine.
The cancellation follows similar disruptions on Sunday, where the practice session was also called off after heavy rains late last week led to deteriorated water conditions. Despite initial expectations that conditions would improve by Sunday morning, tests showed that the water quality had not sufficiently met the required standards for safe swimming.
Heavy rainfall has led to an increase in the levels of E. coli and other bacteria in the Seine. While the warmer weather in Paris, which is forecasted to reach 25°C later on Sunday, typically helps reduce bacterial levels, it has not been enough to rectify the situation in time for the scheduled practice.
The adverse conditions have also affected the men’s triathlon, which has been rescheduled from Monday to Wednesday due to the same water quality concerns. The decision to move the event reflects the organisers’ commitment to ensuring a safe and fair competition for all participants.
Anne Descamps, Paris 2024’s communications director, expressed cautious optimism about the situation. “We are hopeful that we can still organise the competition on Monday. We will make a final decision based on the latest water quality samples in the morning,” Descamps said.
Looking ahead, the 10km marathon swimming races are planned for Thursday and Friday in the Seine. However, should conditions fail to improve, the organisers have a contingency plan to relocate these events to the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, which has previously hosted rowing and canoe-kayak events.
As the Paris 2024 Games approach, maintaining the health and safety of all athletes remains a top priority for the organisers. The situation is being monitored closely, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
