After days of delays and uncertainty over the quality of the Seine’s water, the women’s and men’s Olympic triathlons will go ahead.
Organizers of the Paris Games said on Wednesday (local time) that the latest water tests showed that quality standards were met, allowing swimming competitions to take place in the river.
There were high levels of bacteria in the river when the women’s race is also scheduled.
For the same reason, the test events intended to allow athletes to familiarize themselves with the route had already been canceled on Sunday and Monday.
Being able to proceed with the swimming stages on the Seine for the triathlon races is a victory for the city, the organizers of the Olympics and the athletes.
Officials have embarked on an ambitious plan, which includes 1.4 billion euros ($2.3 billion) in infrastructure improvements, and they were steadfast in their insistence that the swimming portion of the triathlon and next week’s swimming marathon could take place safely in the river.
The water quality in the Seine is directly affected by rainfall which can lead to wastewater runoff entering the river.
Heavy rain fell during the opening ceremony of the Olympics on Friday and continued through much of the day Saturday.