Check outcomes launched Thursday confirmed enhancing situations within the Seine River a number of weeks earlier than the Paris Olympics start later this month, however organizers however introduced their backup plan for open water swimming simply in case.
With rains letting up final week, enterococci and E. coli micro organism have been discovered to be beneath the allowable limits on six of the 9 days between June 24 and July 2. The outcomes of the earlier check final month revealed unsafe ranges of E. coli in 4 totally different areas for the third week in a row, together with 10 instances above acceptable limits on June 18.
After dealing with criticism for months from open water swimmers, Paris 2024 organizers lastly introduced their “Plan B.” If the Seine River continues to be unsafe for swimming subsequent month, open water occasions shall be held simply exterior of Paris on the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, which is already internet hosting rowing and canoe competitions this summer season. In the meantime, the backup plan for the triathlon occasions can be to simply shorten the triathlon to a duathlon.
Open water swimming is ready to happen within the Seine River from August 8-9 whereas the swimming portion of the triathlon competitors is scheduled for July 30-31 and August 5 (combined relay).
One of many main options of France’s $1.5 billion clean-up effort is a 50,000 cubic meter reservoir that lastly operated for the primary time on June 18 and 19. The water tank prevented 40,000 cubic meters of wastewater from coming into the Seine. Paris 2024 organizers insist that the Seine shall be protected for competitors with drier climate within the forecast for July.
Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo just lately postponed plans to swim within the Seine on Sunday, as an alternative rescheduling for July 14. Native Parisians unfold information of a protest on the web, encouraging others to defecate within the river.
French president Emmanuel Macron additionally dedicated to take a dip within the Seine. Swimming within the river has been banned for over a century since 1923, however it’s slated to reopen to the general public at sure websites starting in 2025.
Final summer season’s check occasions within the Seine have been cancelled as a consequence of poor water high quality, which officers later attributed to a defective sewer valve upstream.