Organizers were forced to cancel the Open Water Swimming World Cup in Paris on Sunday after heavy rain caused the water quality in the Seine River to fall below health standards. The marathon swimming events are scheduled to take place in the river during next year's Olympic Games. The International Swimming Federation stated that "additional work" is needed to ensure alternative plans are in place.
Philippe Cezionali, president of the French Swimming Federation, told local radio: "Frustration is the accurate description. It's frustrating for the athletes who were dreaming of competing in one of the most beautiful places in the world." Organizers had already prohibited competitors from training on Friday morning for the same reason.
The women's 10-kilometer race, which is a qualifier for the Olympics, was postponed from yesterday to today when both the local and international federations announced its cancellation, along with the men's 10-kilometer race. The International Swimming Federation emphasized, "Of course, additional work is needed with Paris 2024 and local authorities to ensure robust emergency plans for next year."
The Olympic Committee, in a separate statement, indicated that new infrastructure would be ready by the summer of 2024, which should ensure water quality suitable for swimming in the Seine. The completion of an 80 billion euro (88 billion dollar) basin designed to prevent bacterial pollution of the river due to heavy rain is expected before the Olympic Games.
