Swimmers left high and dry as water quality concerns halt training
With just over a year to go until the 2024 Paris Olympics, triathletes are reeling from the abrupt cancellation of training in the Seine River.
The decision, made by the French Swimming Federation (FFN), came after a sudden spike in E. coli bacteria levels in the river, which raised concerns about the health and safety of swimmers.
This is a huge blow to our training, said top French triathlete Vincent Luis. The Seine is a crucial part of our preparation for the Olympics, and we’re now scrambling to find alternative venues.
The FFN said the cancellation was a precautionary measure and that it would continue to monitor water quality in the river. However, it did not provide a timeline for when training might resume.
Water quality a growing concern
The Seine River has long been plagued by water quality issues, and the recent spike in E. coli bacteria is just the latest in a series of problems.
In recent years, the river has been affected by pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage overflow, and industrial activity. As a result, the FFN has been forced to cancel or postpone training sessions in the Seine on several occasions.
Triathletes frustrated and uncertain
The latest cancellation has left many triathletes frustrated and uncertain about their training plans.
This is a major setback, said American triathlete Katie Zaferes. We’ve been training in the Seine for months, and now we have to start all over again in a new venue.
The cancellation has also raised concerns about the feasibility of holding the triathlon competition in the Seine during the Olympics. The FFN has said that it is committed to finding a solution, but it is unclear whether the water quality can be improved enough to meet Olympic standards in the next year.
Investigation underway
The FFN has launched an investigation into the cause of the E. coli spike in the Seine. It is working with local authorities to identify and address the source of the pollution.
The investigation is expected to take several weeks, and it is unclear when the results will be released. In the meantime, triathletes are left in limbo, wondering when they will be able to resume training in the Seine.
Kind regards E. Thompson
