River Seine causes more triathlon havoc at 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris

Just weeks after contaminated water in the River Seine forced changes to the schedule of the triathlon at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, history has repeated itself at the 2024 Paralympic Games in the French capital.

The triathlon at the Paralympics, which started on August 28 and run through to September 8, was originally due to take place on two dates: Sunday, September 1 and Monday, September 2.

However, on Thursday (August 29), World Triathlon decided the 11 medal events would all be held on Sunday “to provide athletes and coaches with as much certainty as possible”, as “the latest weather forecast provided by Météo France indicates high level of uncertainty for the upcoming days, which could have an impact on the conditions of the Seine”.

Paralympics triathlon postponed for a second time

However, the weather - heavy rain, in particular, has meant yet more alterations have had to be made at the last minute. World Triathlon confirmed in the early hours of Sunday morning in Paris that the triathlon would now be put back until Monday.

“Following a meeting held on 1 September at 3:30 a.m (9:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, August 31) 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,” begins a World Triathlon statement.

After all the controversy surrounding water quality in the Seine during the Olympics, the exact same issue has cropped up once more.

“The latest tests show a decrease 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 1 September 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 2 September. This is subject to the forthcoming water tests complying with the established World Triathlon thresholds for swimming”.

Olympians hospitalised after swimming events

At the 2024 Olympics, Irish double Olympic medallist Daniel Wiffen was taken to hospital with a stomach virus two days after taking part in the marathon swim, although he has since recovered, while triathlete Claire Michel was also hospitalised and treated for an E. coli infection after being in the Seine.

There were also reports of a number of other athletes falling ill after swimming events.

Organisers of the Games, however, were quick to play down links between the illnesses and the water quality in the river, insisting it was “very good” when competitions were taking place.