Bad news for the French Swimming Federation and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games: the Seine is too polluted this weekend for themarathon swimming test event to take place! On August 5 and 6, 2023, a full-scale test was to take place, thanks to the Paris leg of the World Aquatics Marathon Swim World Series, in order to anticipate possible problems next year and test water quality. This was done, and it didn't take long for the worries to start, as the river was too polluted to swim in due to the recent heavy rainfall.
As the organizers knew, the event could be cancelled right up to the last minute, should the water quality deteriorate. On Friday, the pre-competition training session for elite swimmers had to be cancelled, and later, the FFN announced the postponement to Sunday of the women's open water swimming events, scheduled for Saturday morning. Over the past few days, many millimeters of rain have soaked the capital and impacted the water in the Seine, whose measurements are below acceptable health standards.
The final verdict came this Sunday morning, with the outright cancellation of the competition. Saturday's weather remained rainy, and rainwater is added to thewastewater network, raising the level in the pipes, which then flow into the Seine in the event of saturation. So we'll have to hope for good weather next year, and above all, that a storm doesn't break out before the start! In the meantime, if the weather improves between August 17 and 20, the triathlon events will be the ones to test!
Paris 2024: watch the marathon swimming and triathlon trials for free
In preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, several full-scale tests are being carried out this summer. In August, two events will take place, notably in the Seine, and it will be possible to see them for free in the capital. [Read more]
Location
Alexandre III Bridge
quai d'Orsay
75008 Paris 8
Paris 2024: watch the marathon swimming and triathlon trials for free
