The Seine River is clear again, the triathlon event begins

As the overnight rain stopped, 55 female athletes representing 34 countries began the competition at 8am (1pm Vietnam time) near the Pont Alexandre III bridge over Paris' famous Seine River.

After swimming two laps of the Seine, the athletes emerged from the water and began a bike race into central Paris. There were many crashes and falls on the rain-soaked streets of Paris. The final leg of the race was a 10km run.

France's Cassandre Beaugrand won gold in the women's event, while Switzerland's Julie Derron took silver and Great Britain's Beth Potter took bronze.

The men's triathlon was scheduled to take place on July 30, but after the river water quality failed to meet requirements, the competition was postponed to 10:45 a.m. on July 31 (3:45 p.m. Vietnam time), immediately after the women's race.

Athletes jump into the water to start the women's individual triathlon at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, July 31. Photo: Reuters

The decision to go ahead with the triathlon swim is a big deal for Paris, with organizers saying on the morning of July 31 that new tests had shown the Seine to be up to standard after days of uncertainty due to heavy rains on July 26-27.

"The latest water analysis results, received at 3.20am, have been assessed by World Triathlon as compliant, allowing the triathlon to take place," Paris 2024 organisers and sports governing body World Triathlon said.

Heavy rainfall directly affects the water quality of the Seine River as it can cause sewage to flow into the river.

“The problem is always worse when there is heavy rain, because the Seine's overflow pipes will have to absorb all the water that flows from the streets,” explains Dr. Nicole Iovine, an infectious disease expert at the University of Florida.

Daily water quality tests measure levels of fecal E. coli bacteria. Rainfall causes levels of infection-causing bacteria like E. coli to rise. High levels of E. coli in water can come from sewage. Even a sip of contaminated water can cause diarrhea, and the bacteria can cause illnesses like urinary tract infections or infections in the intestines.

Officials have spent €1.4bn on infrastructure improvements to clean up the long-polluted Seine, and have insisted that next week's triathlon and marathon swimming events can be held safely on the river.

Organisers said the swimming marathon, scheduled for August 8 and 9, could be moved to the Vaires-sur-Marne Maritime Stadium in the greater Paris region if necessary, which currently hosts rowing and canoeing competitions and can accommodate up to 15,000 spectators.

Hoai Phuong (according to AP, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/song-seine-trong-tro-lai-noi-dung-ba-mon-phoi-hop-bat-dau-dien-ra-post305699.html