By Nicole Miller on SwimSwam
2024 PARIS SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES
- Pool Swimming: July 27 – August 4, 2024
- Open Water Swimming: August 8 – 9, 2024
- La Défense Arena — Paris, France
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Despite concerns about water quality in the Seine River leading to various practice cancellations and the postponement of the men’s race, the women’s triathlon went off without a hitch early Wednesday morning.
Athletes started racing at 8 AM in Paris (2 AM EST), with the 1500m swim marking the first leg of the event.
The women’s triathletes were the first athletes to swim in the Seine at the #ParisOlympics.
pic.twitter.com/0630dGeOU9
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) July 31, 2024
When all was said and done, Frenchwoman Cassandre Beaugrand crossed the finish line first in front of a home crowd in a time of 1:54:55, becoming the first French person to ever medal in the event. Switzerland’s Julie Derron and Great Britain’s Beth Potter rounded-out the podium.
The swim in the Seine comes as a historic moment for the nation of France. Deemed “unswimmable” for years, the Seine has long been a topic of debate amongst the French public. When the government, in combination with Paris 2024 Organizers, announced a $1.5 billion clean-up effort, many were skeptical about the ability to make the Seine safe to swim in. Despite the clean-up, tests taken just a month from the Olympics showed E. coli levels at 10 times the acceptable limit for swimming. However, reduced rainfall levels throughout the month of July contributed to a sharp decline in bacteria levels, leading Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo to take a plunge into the river before the start of the Games.
With conditions in the river improving, organizers were optimistic that the triathlon and open water events would be able to occur without issue, but recent downpours increased bacteria levels once-again. As a result, several triathlon training sessions were canceled early in the week, along with the men’s race being postponed. Despite the hiccups, it appears as through bacteria levels have returned back under safe-swimming levels.
World Aquatics requirements for inland waterways:
- Enterococci score: <200 is Excellent; <400 is Good; >400 is Unacceptable
- E. Coli score: <500 is Excellent; <1,000 is Good; >1,000 is Unacceptable
World Triathlon requirements for inland waterways:
- Enterococci score: <200 is Excellent; <400 is Good; <330 is Sufficient
- E. Coli score: <500 is Excellent; <1,000 is Good; <900 is Sufficient
The men’s triathalon will also occur today, with athletes slated for a 10:45 AM start in Paris. Assuming conditions remain stable, open water swimming will take over the Seine on August 8 and 9.
Read the full story on SwimSwam: Despite E. Coli Concerns, Women’s Triathlon Completed with Swim in the Seine River