Last year, the marathon swimming test events had to be cancelled, due to an overly polluted Seine. While the triathlon was able to take place, there are major concerns for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games events, on July 30, 31 and August 5 for the triathlon, and August 8 and 9 for the marathon swimming. Until now, the Cojo had refused to talk about a plan B in case the water quality was too bad, but finally, on July 5, 2024, Tony Estanguet unveiled the alternative!
If it rains a few days before the events, the river may well be too polluted and dirty for athletes to risk taking a dip. In recent weeks, before the start of the Olympic Games, swimming in the Seine has been stepped up to prove that it can be done, by the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, and the Minister for Sport, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra. But as the organizers know, the competition can be cancelled right up to the last minute.
As a reminder, when rainwater is added in large quantities to the wastewater network, it raises the level in the pipes, which then flow into the Seine in the event of saturation. We can only hope for good weather, but if not, the Vaires-sur-Marne nautical stadium, already used for rowing and canoeing, will be used for the marathon swim.
As for the triathlon, Plan B is simpler: it would simply become a duathlon, with only cycling and running! But before doing away with swimming, the event would first be postponed for a few days, in the hope that things would improve. All we can do now is wait, and hope that the flow of the Seine calms down too!
