Training Splash Turns to Trash as Seine Pollution Halts Olympic Prep
Triathletes hit a soggy roadblock ahead of the Paris Olympics as organizers scrapped their first Seine River training session Sunday—thanks to murky water conditions. Tests revealed unsafe pollution levels, forcing the cancellation of the swim portion. Officials blamed recent rain for washing sewage into the river, but they’re crossing fingers (and testing tubes) for clearer waters before the July 30 competition.
Paris 2024 leaders emphasized athlete safety comes first: 'We won’t risk a *Hunger Games* arena situation,' joked one insider. A 'Plan B' backup involves delaying events or moving swims to Vaires-sur-Marne, a backup river east of Paris.
Earlier this month, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and Games chief Tony Estanguet took a high-profile dip to prove the Seine’s safety. But Mother Nature, it seems, had other plans.
Tests revealed unsafe pollution levels, forcing the cancellation of the swim portion. Officials blamed recent rain for washing sewage into the river, but they’re crossing fingers (and testing tubes) for clearer waters before the July 30 competition. 
A 'Plan B' backup involves delaying events or moving swims to Vaires-sur-Marne, a backup river east of Paris.
