Olympic Triathlons Postponed Due to Seine Pollution

The men's Olympic triathlon in Paris was postponed due to high levels of E. coli and other bacteria in the Seine River, following torrential rains that exacerbated pollution. The decision was made after a 3:30 a.m. meeting involving Paris 2024, the International Olympic Committee, and local health officials. The event, originally set for Tuesday, has been rescheduled to Wednesday, but further delays or changes to a duathlon (cycling and running only) are possible if water quality does not improve. This postponement is a significant setback for Paris, which invested $1.5 billion in a nine-year effort to clean the Seine as part of its environmentally-friendly Games initiative. Athletes and fans are frustrated by the uncertainty, and the situation highlights the challenges of ensuring safe conditions amid unpredictable weather patterns. The women's triathlon is also scheduled for Wednesday, pending further water quality tests.