Olympics triathlon postponed at last second as River Seine pollution wreaks havoc

The highly anticipated men's triathlon at the 2024 Olympics has been postponed due to high pollution levels in Paris' River Seine.

Initially set for an early start on the Pont Alexandre III bridge on Tuesday (CEST), athletes would have embarked on a 1.5km swim through the iconic river before transitioning to a grueling 40km bike leg, and concluding with a fast-paced 10km run.

Buzz around a potential rescheduling started after back-to-back training sessions were cancelled, thanks to alarming pollution readings. Despite Paris splashing out nearly $1.3bn to spruce up the Seine well in time for the Olympic season, unexpected torrential downpours are believed to have caused a surge in E.coli levels.

READ MORE: Team USA sends out warning to Olympics rivals thanks to Kevin Durant
READ MORE: Canada women's soccer players claim alleged drone cheating didn't help them

Now, the men's race is reshuffled to Wednesday, shadowing the women's competition, though there's chatter about a further pushback if the water's toxicity doesn't subside.

World Triathlon announced: "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, Metro France, the City of Paris and the Prefecture of the Ile-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 July 26 and 27, 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 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."

With the Seine expected to host open water swimming on August 7 and 8, alternative venues like Vaires-sur-Marne are being considered if changes are needed.

However, because the triathlons opening leg is the swim, it can't simply be relocated - hence the discussion about switching the format to a duathlon, where the swimming portion would be eliminated.