"Paris Olympics Swimming Test Event In Seine Canceled Due To Pollution"

"Excessive pollution in Paris' Seine River forced organizers to cancel a pre-Olympics test swimming competition due to take place on Sunday, the sport's international federation said.

Following recent heavy rainfall and analysis of the latest water samples, "water quality in the Seine has remained below acceptable standards for safeguarding swimmers' health," World Aquatics said in a statement on Sunday.

"Based on this weekend, it is clear that further work is needed with Paris 2024 and local authorities to ensure robust contingency plans are in place for next year."

Friday's training for the World Aquatics Open Water Swimming World Cup had already been canceled and the women's race was postponed from Saturday to Sunday in the hope the water quality would improve."

Deborah Claude reports for Agence France-Presse August 6, 2023.

 

Source: AFP, 08/07/2023