Will Pollution in the River Seine Put the Brakes on Triathlon Swimming at the Paris Olympics?

 The Olympics president said the swimming section of the triathlon could be nixed if officials cannot reduce pollution levels in the filthy waterway.

Imagine the thrill of witnessing elite athletes carve through the iconic River Seine, turning the heart of Paris into an Olympic stage. It's the dreamy centerpiece of Paris 2024 – a celebration of sport, environmental rejuvenation, and the city's timeless romance.

But this week, reality hit hard.

The head of the Olympic committee has raised a red flag: the triathlon swimming leg, set to dazzle in the Seine, might face a last-minute cancellation. Why? Pollution levels have spiked, with alarming levels of bacteria, including traces of "fecal origin," detected in the river – a far cry from safety standards, just over 100 days before the Games kick off.

This despite France's hefty investment of 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion) to overhaul the city's aging sewage system, which still flushes waste into the river during heavy rains.

"We might need to hit pause for inclement weather," confessed Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet during a high-stakes conference in Birmingham, England, on Tuesday. While he remains hopeful about harnessing the Seine's allure, he conceded that a final verdict could see swimming axed – a possibility dictated by International Federation rules. It's a scenario we're desperate to avoid, he stressed.

Now, the countdown begins, and the question looms: Will Paris's Olympic dreams be swept away by pollution woes? Stay tuned as we navigate this turbulent tide towards a decision that could redefine the Games.

In response to inquiries, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) clarified that Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet was simply reiterating the regulations outlined by World Triathlon. According to the governing body, if pollution levels in the River Seine remain problematic, the triathlon event could either be transformed into a duathlon – comprising only running and cycling – or scrapped altogether.

Estanguet addressed reporters during the SportAccord conference, acknowledging the enormity of the challenge at hand. "We are working hard on it," he emphasized. "You know it's one of the bigger challenges." Reflecting on the decision to host the competition in the Seine, he highlighted the anticipated hurdles. "When we decided to have this competition in the Seine, we knew it would be a big challenge," he said. Despite the obstacles, Estanguet expressed optimism, citing significant investments and collaborative efforts with authorities. "But with the authorities, there is a big program of investment, and when we talk about legacy, this project is fantastic," he concluded.

As the clock ticks down to the Paris Olympics, all eyes are on the collaborative efforts to ensure a memorable and safe sporting spectacle along the iconic River Seine.

Last August, hopes for a successful test marathon swimming event were dashed when pollution tests revealed that the Seine fell short of safety standards.

Beyond just the triathlon, the river is slated to host marathon swimming and paratriathlon events, as well as set the stage for a unique opening ceremony aboard a flotilla.

This ambitious initiative is part of a larger vision to reintroduce public swimming in the river by 2025, a practice banned for a century due to perilously high pollution levels. Achieving this goal has necessitated extensive modifications to Paris' sewage infrastructure, including the installation of a massive 13-million-gallon overflow tank known as the Austerlitz Basin.

Both French President Emmanuel Macron and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo have pledged to take a plunge into the waters to demonstrate their cleanliness and safety.

Nevertheless, detractors argue that officials are needlessly endangering one of the Olympics' most iconic sports by opting to stage it in the Seine – undoubtedly a symbolic showcase for both the city and the event.

Ana Marcela Cunha of Brazil, the gold medalist in the women's marathon 10-kilometer swim at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, voiced her concerns to AFP last month, stating, "We need a plan B in case it's not possible to swim in the Seine," and emphasizing that "the Seine is not made for swimming".

The Seine overflows its banks after heavy rainfall in Paris last week

Just a day prior to Estanguet's cautionary statements regarding the triathlon, the Surfrider Foundation Europe sounded the alarm bells.

Over a span of 10 days from September to March, the nonprofit collected samples from key sites along the Seine, including the Pont de l'Alma and the Pont Alexandre III – slated locations for the upcoming events. Shockingly, findings revealed that only two of these days met the stringent standards set by World Triathlon for fecal bacteria levels, specifically enterococci and escherichia coli.

On a concerning note, eight out of these 10 days witnessed e.coli levels soaring at least double the permissible limit, with one day hitting almost quadruple the safe threshold, as per the foundation's report.

Expressing genuine apprehension about athletes' well-being, the foundation criticized the efficacy of measures implemented by city and regional authorities, deeming them either ambiguous or inadequate.

In response, the city of Paris rebutted the Surfrider study, labeling it as a skewed portrayal. It argued that the Seine is designated for swimming exclusively during the summer months, whereas the samples were taken during rainier periods when pollution tends to peak. Additionally, it highlighted that the Austerlitz Basin, a crucial component in pollution management, is yet to be operational, with its inauguration slated for May 2.

"We are taken aback by the timing of the study," stated the city, emphasizing that, for safety reasons, the Seine isn't intended for swimmers from mid-September to June.

While Paris grapples with its pollution woes, it's worth noting that it's not the first Olympic triathlon watercourse to face scrutiny ahead of the Games.

Recall Tokyo 2020, where the venue earned notoriety for its pungent odor, likened to "a toilet." Organizers resorted to a massive endeavor, dumping nearly 800,000 cubic feet of sand into the water in a bid to lure natural cleansing organisms, highlighting the global challenges of hosting aquatic events amidst urban environmental concerns.