Search
shop

World Triathlon confirms investigation underway into Seine water quality after Test Event issues

World Triathlon have confirmed there is an investigation underway into Seine water quality after issues at the Paris Test Event.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

With question marks already surrounding the water quality in the River Seine before the Paris Olympic Test Event last week, there was an audible sigh of relief from the governing bodies and local organisers when both the men and women’s individual events were able to be held without restrictions on Thursday and Friday.

However, their relief was short lived, after what was described as a “significant discrepancy” between water samples in a test conducted on Saturday morning meant that the Paratriathlon events and subsequently the Mixed Team Relay were changed to the Duathlon format.

Whilst the water quality testing does come under the remit of Paris 24 and the City of Paris, global governing body World Triathlon provided further details on the matter to TRI247 after the event, revealing that whilst the swim cancellations on Saturday and Sunday were a precautionary measure, a further investigation is currently underway.

“Discrepancy between both test in Paris”

Shedding light on the situation that unfolded over the weekend, a spokesperson for World Triathlon revealed that the current focus of the investigation is to clarify the root cause of the issue and gather data that may well help the local organising committee deal with anymore issues that may arise.

Alex Yee wins Paris Test Event 2023 [Photo credit: World Triathlon / Wagner Araujo]
[Photo credit: World Triathlon / Wagner Araujo]

“As explained, there was a discrepancy between both tests that were done in Paris and as precautionary measure, the Medical and Technical delegates decided to cancel the swim activities. Paris 24 and the City of Paris, who are in charge of the water quality at the Seine and all the water quality testing, have launched an investigation to clarify what happened and gather more information.”

Allaying concerns that the triathlon and paratriathlon events at the Games next summer will face similar problems because of the water quality, World Triathlon cited the work that is being done to treat rainwater and deal with wastewater in the city as proof that the issue was being dealt with proactively.

“The holding of this Test Event represented the return of swimming to the Seine, a first since the Paris 2012 Triathlon. Even though the swimming events were not able to be held during the last two days of competition, the ongoing work on wastewater management and the delivery of new infrastructure for the treatment of rainwater between now and the Olympic Games will mean that the water quality will be improved and, as a result, the events will be held as planned.”

Contingency planning

Among the new infrastructure being built is the Austerlitz Reservoir, a storage basin that World Triathlon hopes will help the city deal with any unexpected rainfall during the Olympics. As well as infrastructure, there are contingency plans in place for a change in schedule, which would allow events to be re-scheduled for later in the Games to ensure the swim can go ahead.

“New infrastructure will include the Austerlitz Reservoir, an enormous storage basin 50m in diameter and more than 30m deep will allow for the storage of more than 50,000m cubed of water, equivalent to 20 Olympic pools. This reservoir will allow event organisers to be better prepared for exceptional weather events by preventing wastewater from being discharged into the Seine in the event of heavy rain.

Laura Lindemann Beth Potter Mixed Relay Olympic Games Triathlon Paris Test Event
Laura Lindemann (Germany) beats Beth Potter (Great Britain) in a Paris Mixed Relay thriller (Photo – World Triathlon).

“These new pieces of equipment and facilities, together with the contingency days that will offer greater latitude for organising competitions during the Games (the Games programme provides for the postponement of certain competitions that are subject to the vagaries of the weather, in order to offer the athletes the best possible conditions), mean that the Paris 2024 triathlon and paratriathlon events will be held under the best possible conditions.”

Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
TRI247 podcast p/b Challenge Family episode 2
Go behind the scenes at Challenge Roth with the latest episode of the TRI247 podcast
Cadomotus Chronos triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Challenge Family Roth
Five things you need to know about the Challenge Roth bike course
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
latest News
Joe Skipper finished fifth at Challenge Roth 2023
Challenge Roth 2025: Triathlon star Joe Skipper comes back from the brink for another shot at iconic race
ironman hamburg 2025 podium laura philipp kat matthews solveig lovseth beer
Challenge Roth 2025: Laura Philipp backed to make triathlon history by crashing through magical time barrier
Challenge Roth press conference 2025
Challenge Roth 2025: Date, start times, how to watch live and who’s racing
Georgia Taylor Brown wins supertri Toulouse 2024
British Olympic legend Georgia Taylor-Brown to make triathlon return
Gwen Jorgensen reflective World Triathlon Cup Vina del Mer 2023
‘Unbreakable’ Gwen Jorgensen ‘bruised’ after bike crash but vows to bounce back
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...