THE men’s triathlon at the Paris Olympics has been POSTPONED – just hours before it was due to start.
The big event on the River Seine has British star Alex Yee – who won silver last time out in Tokyo – aiming to go one better in the French capital.
The men’s Olympic triathlon has been postponed due to pollution levels in the River Seine.
The event was hit by chaos when the swimming practice session was cancelled two days running after the Seine failed water quality inspections, and then failed again just hours before the triathlon was set to take place.
It was hoped the river, which endured heavy rain – drenching the opening ceremony – at the end of last week would return to safe enough levels to compete today.
But following a crunch meeting held at 2.30am BST it was announced the event would be postponed from its original 7am slot today.
A statement from World Triathlon said: “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, Meteo 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.
“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.
“There will be a meeting at 8am between World Triathlon and the coaches to provide further information and the updated schedule for July 31.”
The announcement revealed the event had been rescheduled for 9.45am BST (10.45am local time)on Wednesday July 31, River Seine water quality permitting.
While the women’s event would, subject to water quality tests, still take place at the original time of 8am tomorrow.
