Olympic organizers have postponed the men’s triathlon race due to unsafe conditions in the Seine River, where the swimming portion of the event was set to take place. Despite improvements in water quality, levels are still above acceptable limits. The race has been rescheduled to Wednesday, with a contingency plan to move it to Friday if needed. Efforts to clean up the Seine River were made prior to the Olympics, but contamination levels have remained too high for swimming. Unsafe levels of E. coli in the water can cause gastrointestinal disease. Weather conditions have also presented challenges, with heavy rain affecting water quality. The decision to postpone the triathlon was made to prioritize the health of the athletes. Other events, such as the mixed relay triathlon and marathon swimming, are also dependent on water conditions improving. Past tests have shown elevated levels of contamination in the river, leading to skepticism about its cleanliness for Olympic competitions. Despite efforts to showcase the river’s cleanliness, independent tests have shown that contamination levels have exceeded safe limits. The postponement of the triathlon highlights ongoing challenges with ensuring safe water conditions for Olympic events in urban waterways.
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Olympic triathlon for men delayed due to continued contamination of Seine River, unsafe conditions for swimming
