Major Paris Olympics event POSTPONED just hours before start and fears it could be scrapped In huge blow to Team GB
PARIS Olympics organisers have decided to POSTPONE the men’s triathlon just hours before the event was due to start.
The event was hit by chaos when the swimming practice session was cancelled two days running after the river Seine failed water quality inspections.
It was hoped the river, which endured heavy rain – drenching the opening ceremony – at the end of last week would return to safe enough levels to compete today.
However, this has not been the case, and following a crunch meeting held at 3.30am it was announced the event would be postponed from its original 8am slot today.
A statement from World Triathlon said: “Following a meeting on water quality held on 30 July at 3.30am attended by Paris 2024, representatives of World Triathlon and their Technical and Medical Delegates, the International Olympic Committee, Météo France, the City of Paris and the Prefecture of the Île-de-France Region involved in carrying out water quality tests, decision has been made to postpone the men’s triathlon event which was due to be held on 30 July at 8am.”
The announcement revealed the event had been rescheduled for 10.45am on July 31, while the women’s event would, subject to water quality tests, still take place at the original time of 8am tomorrow.
The latest weather report indicates rain will hit the river again later this week, with organisers hoping that pencilling in the event tomorrow will allow them to dodge further cancellations.
Team GB athletes, Alex Yee and Beth Potter, are among the medal favourites in the men’s and women’s events respectively.
They will be hoping to add to Team GB’s impressive Monday haul after Tom Pidcock landed a dramatic gold in men’s mounting biking cross-country and Laura Collett secured Great Britain’s first gold in Paris in the equestrian team eventing.
But they now face an anxious wait to see whether water quality levels improve enough to allow the event to go ahead, with only some parts of the course now said to violate safety guidelines.
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World Triathlon’s statement continued: “Paris 2024 and World Triathlon reiterate that their priority is the health of the athletes.
“The tests carried out in the Seine today revealed water quality levels that did not provide sufficient guarantees to allow the event to be held…
“There will be a meeting at 8am between World Triathlon and the coaches to provide further information and the updated schedule for July 31.”
In another weather-related curveball, there is also said to be a risk of thunder and lightning during the rescheduled event.
World triathlon full statement
Following a meeting on water quality held on 30 July at 3.30am attended by Paris 2024, representatives of World Triathlon and their Technical and Medical Delegates, the International Olympic Committee, Météo France, the City of Paris and the Prefecture of the Île-de-France Region involved in carrying out water quality tests, decision has been made to postpone the men’s triathlon event which was due to be held on 30 July at 8am.
Considering the latest weather information, it has been decided to schedule the men’s triathlon event on 31 July at 10h45. The women’s triathlon is due to take place the same day at 8am. Both triathlons are subject to the forthcoming water tests complying with the established World Triathlon thresholds for swimming. The original contingency day also remains in place for August 2, for further considerations.
Paris 2024 and World Triathlon reiterate that their priority is the health of the athletes. The tests carried out in the Seine today revealed water quality levels that did not provide sufficient guarantees to allow the event to be held.
Unfortunately, meteorological events beyond our control, such as the rain which fell over Paris on 26 and 27 July, can alter water quality and compel us to reschedule the event for health reasons. Despite the improvement on the water quality levels in the last hours, the readings at some points of the swim course are still above the acceptable limits.
We will provide the athletes who are due to take part in the men’s triathlon event with all information on its postponement, as well as real-time updates on the situation. Information regarding tickets and broadcast of the events on Wednesday July 31 will be shared in the next hours.
There will be a meeting at 8am between World Triathlon and the coaches to provide further information and the updated schedule for July 31. Links to attend this meeting will be shared with the coaches directly shortly.
Water quality is linked to the weather and levels of fecal bacteria known as E. coli are measured daily.
Swimming had been banned in the river Seine over the last century due to poor water quality.
A staggering $1.5billion (£1.2bn) has been invested since 2015 to prepare the Seine for these Olympics and ensure water quality was good enough to stage events including the swimming leg of the triathlon and marathon swimming event.
What is the triathlon?
TEAM GB has had HUGE success in the triathlon at the Olympics.
Ahead of Paris 2024, they have won eight medals in the event since its debut in 2000.
But what are the disciplines and distances in the popular Olympic sport?
SWIM: The Olympic race begins with a 1500 metre swim. This takes place in open water, with competitors wearing swimming caps and goggles. Swimmers can use any stroke except backstroke, but at Olympic level all opt for freestyle.
CYCLE: Next comes the 40km bike ride. Before they head out on their bikes, the athletes must remove their goggles and caps in the transition zone. If they fail to do this in the zone then they will receive a penalty. Wetsuits have been developed so they do not need to be removed after the swim but can be worn for the cycle and run. Shoes are already attached to the bike pedals to save time. Cycling helmets must be worn and securely fastened before the competitor touches the bike. The racer then runs with their bike to exit the transition zone. If they mount their bike before leaving the area they can be penalised or even disqualified.
RUN: After the bike ride the competitor must correctly leave their bike in the transition zone before heading out on the 10km run. They must dismount before entering the area. Once in the zone they must remove their helmet and place it in the correct box, while also putting on their running shoes before leaving the area. The 10km race is the last part of the three-part race with the first over the line being the winner.
PENALTY BOX: Athletes can pick up penalties if they break the rules on the course. This can include deliberately impeding another competitor or cycling too close. During the relay, penalties can be handed out for faulty changeovers. Athletes serve their penalty by entering the penalty box for the required time. They must do this before finishing the race.
Distances in the Olympic mixed relay event are slightly shorter. Each of the four teammates must swim 300 metres, cycle for 6.8km, and run 2km.
Water quality levels had actually been deemed safe enough for the event to start last week.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo took a dip in the river two weeks before the start of the Olympics in a bid to show the Seine was clean enough to host swimming competitions.
However, the heavy rain that fell on July 26 and 27 altered the water quality to an unsafe degree.
The running and biking practice events for the triathlon went ahead as planned despite back-to-back delays in the swimming practice session.
What's happening today at The Games?
WHAT TO WATCH TODAY...
The Paris 2024 Olympics is now well underway with medals being ticked off and huge events still to come.
SunSport brings you all the action taking place in the French capital on a what is expected to be a huge third day.
TODAY’S BRIT MEDAL HOPES
Alex Yee was due to be in action in the men’s triathlon but due to pollution in the River Seine, the event has been postponed.
The Team GB 4x200m men’s freestyle swimming squad are packed with talent and could be in for gold (8.59pm).
And the women’s gymnastics team could also get a podium finish but it’s a strong field including Simone Biles’ USA (5.15pm).
BRITS TO WATCH
Kieran Reilly and Charlotte Worthington get underway in the freestyle BMX qualifiers (12.25pm).
Joe Clarke and Mallory Franklin are both in canoe slalom action, while the men’s hockey side face top-dogs the Netherlands.
GLOBAL STARS TODAY
Clarisse Agbegnenou carried the flag for France at the opening ceremony.
She can back that up with a third Olympic judo gold in the -63kg final (4.49pm).
FANCY SOMETHING DIFFERENT?
It is the final day of the rugby sevens for this Olympics, ending with the final at the 70,000-seater Stade de France at 6.45pm.
And the street-style 3×3 basketball gets underway at the spectacular La Concorde venue at the bottom of the Champs-Elysees in the heart of the city.
Click here for all the events taking place at Paris 2024 today.
Follow all the action as it unfolds with our Paris 2024 Olympics LIVE blog.