The Seine River is clear again, the triathlon event begins

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

After swimming two laps of the Seine, the cyclists emerged from the water and began the 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 10 km 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), right after the women's race.

Athletes jump into the water at the start of 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 one for Paris. Organizers said on the morning of July 31 that new tests showed the Seine was up to standard after days of uncertainty due to heavy rains on July 26-27.

"The latest water analysis results, received at 3:20 a.m., have been assessed by World Triathlon as compliant, allowing the triathlon to proceed," Paris 2024 organizers 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's heavy rain, because the Seine's overflow pipes will have to absorb all the water that runs off the streets,” explains Dr. Nicole Iovine, an infectious disease expert at the University of Florida.

Daily water quality tests measure levels of fecal bacteria like E. coli. Rainfall increases the levels of infection-causing bacteria like E. coli. 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 intestinal infections.

Officials have spent 1.4 billion euros 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.

Organizers 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