Organizers of the Games and World Aquatics have announced that the women’s marathon swimming event will proceed as scheduled on August 8 at 7:30 AM. This decision comes after a thorough assessment of the latest water quality tests from the Seine, which indicated compliance with the required standards.
In a joint statement released on Thursday, World Aquatics and the Paris 2024 organizers assured that the event would take place as planned. This announcement followed an early-morning meeting attended by representatives from both organizations and other stakeholders responsible for conducting water tests.
The marathon swimming course presents a challenging 1.67km loop, to be completed six times by the competitors. The race traverses the iconic Seine river, passing through landmarks such as the Alexandre III bridge and Pont de l’Alma in the heart of Paris.
A crucial familiarization session took place on Wednesday, offering swimmers an opportunity to acclimate to the course. This session was a welcome development after the cancellation of the previous day’s activities due to water pollution concerns.
The French authorities have demonstrated their commitment to improving water quality by investing 1.4 billion euros in upgrading the city’s sewage systems. They have promised that the river will be safe for swimming by next summer, ensuring a healthy and enjoyable experience for residents and athletes alike.
However, the triathlon events during the Games highlighted some persistent water quality challenges. Familiarization sessions were canceled, and the men’s race was postponed by a day to address these issues. Nonetheless, the organizers are working diligently to ensure that similar disruptions do not occur in future events.
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