Seine water quality sees Paralympic triathlons postponed 24 hours

Paralympic triathlon events scheduled to take place on Sunday in Paris have been postponed for 24 hours due to a decrease in the water quality of the river Seine . Rain in the French capital during the past two days has left the river unsuitable for swimming . Paris 2024 organisers and World Triathlon said the health of athletes is their priority . All 11 triathlon races have been rescheduled for Monday , subject to water quality thresholds being met . ParalympicsGB named its largest ever triathlon squad for the French Games , with Tokyo 2020 champion Lauren Steadman among the 11 athletes . " Following a meeting held on September 1 at 3 : 30am attended by representatives of World Triathlon , Paris 2024 and the relevant French authorities involved in monitoring the conditions of the Seine and the weather , the decision has been taken to postpone the Para triathlon competitions which were due to be held on 1 September ," read a joint statement from Paris 2024 and World Triathlon . " The latest tests show a dec rease in water quality in the river following the rain episodes over the last two days . " As a result , the water quality at the competition venue on Sunday , September 1 is not suitable for swimming and above the threshold established by World Triathlon . " It has been decided to schedule all 11 Para triathlon medal events on September 2 ." Para triathlon events feature a 750 - metre swim in the Seine , a 20 - kilometre cycle down the Champs - Elysees , Avenue Montaigne and Pont des Invalides , followed by a five kilometre run to the Quai d ' Orsay , finishing at Pont Alexandre III . Triathlon and marathon swim events were impacted by the water quality of the river at the recent Olympic Games . Tom Hodgkinson , ParalympicsGB team leader for triathlon , said : " The postponement is naturally disappointing , however we know it has been made for the right reason . " We work with the athletes to be best prepared , and that includes their ability to adapt to the circumstances that they face . " When the time com es to race , we know that athletes and staff will have done everything possible to make it a successful Paralympic Games ." Paralympic triathlon races were initially scheduled to be spread across Sunday and Monday . ParalympicsGB chef de mission Penny Briscoe said earlier this week there was a possibility events could become duathlons , comprised of cycling and running . " They ( organisers ) have got contingencies in place for both water quality and flow ," she said . " We ' re keeping everything crossed it ' s going to be a triathlon because the Olympic triathlon was spectacular . Who wouldn ' t want to see racing of that quality again ?" dpa pa mls Source: The Namibia News Agency