PARIS (Reuters) - The World Triathlon Para Cup in Paris had the swimming stage cancelled on Saturday due to poor water quality in the River Seine as organizers said they could not risk the health and safety of athletes.
Earlier this month, organizers also cancelled the Open Water Swimming World Cup in Paris after heavy rainfall caused the water quality in the river to dip below minimum health standards.
Water quality tests were conducted early on Saturday, after which organizers took the call to switch the Para triathlon competition to a duathlon format.
“We have observed a significant discrepancy on the data between the results of the latest water quality tests provided by the laboratory and the high frequency sample analyzers,” World Triathlon said in a statement.
“Considering this discrepancy, and not to put the health and safety of the athletes at risk, the decision has been made to cancel all the swim activities planned for today.”
The city has been working on clean-up efforts to make the Seine swimmable again, as it was during the 1900 Paris Olympics more than a century ago.
But heavy rain causes the Parisian sewage system to overflow and be discharged into the river.
Triathlon fan Vincent Corla was hopeful the Games events would go ahead as planned next summer.