Olympic triathlon postponed just 24 hours before start in huge blow to athletes
The men’s triathlon at the Paris Olympics has been postponed for 'health reasons' just 24 hours before it was due to start.
It seems the drama surrounding the River Seine started even before it kicked off in the French capital as people had threatened to poop in the Paris river.
Yep, really.
The Seine that runs through Paris has been used for a number of events at this year's Olympics. Though the issue stems from the fact that swimming in the Seine was banned a century ago due to how badly polluted it was.
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And a massive €1.4 billion (£1.18 billion) has been spent on a clean up operation in preparation for the games.
Amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, locals haven't been best pleased with the huge funds being splashed out, and people previously threatened to poop in the river, taking to social media with the hashtag #JeChieDansLaSeine.
In English that translates to 'I Poo In The Seine'.
Now adding to chaos, it has today (30 July) been announced that the men’s triathlon at the Paris Olympics has been postponed over the water quality in the River Seine.
"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 World Triathlon said in a statement.
"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."
Team GB's Alex Yee is one of the favourites to win the gold medal in the men’s competition while Beth Potter happens to be the reigning women’s world champion.
Team GB's current medal count - 10
Gold medallists
- Rosalind Canter, Laura Collett, Tom McEwen: Equestrian - Eventing team
- Tom Pidcock: Mountain Bike - Men's cross country
Silver medallists
- Anna Henderson: Cycling - Women's individual time trial
- Adam Peaty: Swimming - Men's 100m breaststroke
- Tom Daley and Noah Williams: Diving - Men's synchronised 10m platform
- Adam Burgess: Canoe Slalom - Men's canoe single
- Matthew Richards: Swimming - Men's 200m freestyle
Bronze medallists
- Yasmin Harper and Scarlett Mew Jensen: Diving - Women's synchronised 3m springboard
- Kimberley Woods: Canoe - Women's slalom
- Laura Collett: Equestrian - Eventing individual
Anish Vij