Explained: What is the controversy surrounding River Seine, the venue of Triathlon events at Paris Olympics 2024?

The Triathlon swimming training for the Paris Olympics 2024 was canceled on Monday due to the poor water quality of the River Seine. The incident has raised concern over the Triathlon event set to take place on Tuesday.

The swimming leg of the triathlon is set to take place in the River Seine. General people have been banned from swimming in the river for over a century due to its poor water quality. The organizers, however, spent a massive $1.5 billion to prepare the venue and improve water quality in order for the river to be used for the Paris Olympics 2024.

Recent rainfall, though, has raised speculations about the quality of the water at the moment. Organizers recently issued a statement that read (via Business Standard):

"Given the weather forecast for the next 36 hours, Paris 2024 and World Triathlon are confident that water quality will return to below limits before the start of the triathlon competitions on July 30."

Apart from the Triathlon, the Marathon Swimming event is also set to take place on the River Seine. This is the first time since 1900 that Olympic athletes will swim in a river for events.

Tests in June revealed a high presence of the E. Coli bacteria in the water. The organizers have previously worked on building a large basin to preserve excess rainwater and prevent wastewater from entering the river. Apart from that, they have also improved the sewer system and upgraded the wastewater system facility.

Recent rainfall, though, has contributed to the concern over Seine's water quality. It's worth noting that Paris' mayor Anne Hidalgo had earlier jumped into the River Seine to prove its readiness ahead of the Olympic Games.

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French sports minister confident that River Seine will be ready for the Paris Olympic 2024 events

French sports minister Amelia Oudia-Castera has pointed out that the methods used to prepare the River Seine for the Paris Olympics 2024 were effective. She recently told CNews that the officials are confident.

She further claimed that tomorrow's men's triathlon event was on course to take place at the river. Oudia-Castera told CNEWS (via AP News):

"I am confident in the fact that we will be able to be there tomorrow for the men's triathlon event."

As per reports, the organizers plan on postponing the triathlon event in case the water quality doesn't improve in time. If the elevated bacteria level still persists, the swimming leg will be canceled and athletes will compete in a duathlon.