Swimming portion of Olympic triathlon might be impacted by “alarming levels” of bacteria like E. coli in Seine river [Video]

The swimming portion of the triathlon event at the 2024 Paris Olympics might be impacted by poor water quality in the city’s Seine River. Tony Estanguet, president of the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee, said the water pollution is a challenge and the swimming event might be delayed until later in the games.

The triathlon plans were brought into question after a water charity released a report this week saying the water in the Seine showed alarming levels of bacteria like E.coli.

Surfrider Foundation Europe completed 14 tests on water samples taken from two spots on the river between September 2023 and March 2024 and found all but one showed poor water quality.

Olympic triathlons involve a .93-mile (1.5 km) swim, a 24.8-mile (40 km) bike ride, and a 6.2-mile (10 km) run. The Olympic event is set to take place on July 30 and 31,with athletes starting their swim at the Pont Alexandre III bridge. After swimming …