Concerns over the Seine River’s water quality returned at the Paralympic Games on Thursday.
Before and during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, which was held from July 26 to August 11, there were concerns over the bacteria levels in the Seine River. Despite questions about whether the long-polluted river was safe enough to swim in, it was used by athletes in multiple events. Olympic organizers assessed the risk of holding each event that took place in the river by testing daily water samples.
On Thursday, organizers of the 2024 Summer Paralympic Games decided to hold all para-triathlon races on one day instead of two as originally planned.
“The decision to hold all medal events on one day was taken in view of the weather forecast and to provide athletes and coaches with as much certainty as possible. The course of the swim remains unchanged,” organizers said in a statement.
Newsweek reached out to the International Paralympic Committee (IPO) via email for comment on Thursday evening.
A view of the Eiffel Tower from the Seine bank ahead of the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games on August 26, 2024, in Paris, France. Concerns over the Seine River’s water quality have returned at the Paralympic Games on Thursday.
Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images
The 11 medal events will be held on Sunday. Familiarization swims took place as planned on Thursday morning.
The organizers said the water quality and flow of the river will be monitored each day. Decisions to hold preparatory swims in the river over the next couple of days and on Sunday morning will be made before each event.
Events can be rescheduled for Monday and Tuesday “if needed,” the organizers said.
Why Is the Seine Polluted And What Is Paris Doing About It?
Bacteria levels rise in the Seine when heavy rains cause wastewater and runoff to flow into the river. Weather can not only cause bacteria levels to increase but also decrease. The sun’s ultraviolet rays can kill the bacteria in the river.
Paris put $1.5 billion into cleaning up the Seine before the 2024 games. In advance of the games, the city constructed a giant basin that captures excess rainwater and keeps wastewater from flowing into the river and made improvements to the sewer infrastructure and wastewater treatment plants.
What Are the Paralympics?
The Paralympic Games showcase the talents of the best disabled athletes from across the globe. Over 4,000 athletes with physical, visual and intellectual impairments will compete in 22 sports from Thursday until September 8.
The Paralympics held its opening ceremony on Wednesday. Against the backdrop of a setting sun, thousands of athletes paraded down the famed Champs-Élysées avenue to Place de la Concorde in central Paris.
To view the awe-inspiring photos from the Paralympic opening ceremony, click here.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
