Seine swim training canceled again over pollution, current

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STORY: Organizers of the Paris Olympics canceled a second day of triathlon swimming training in the Seine River on Monday (July 29)...

after heavy rains last week increased pollution levels in the water and the speed of the current.

The cancelation came 24 hours before the start of the men's race.

Fifty-five triathletes are expected to dive into the Seine around 8 a.m. on Tuesday.

The women's race is scheduled for Wednesday morning.

Paris 2024 Organizing Committee CEO Etienne Thobois:

"We're confident that we will be able to hold - even though we canceled the familiarization this morning - the competition tomorrow and Wednesday and we still have a contingency plan that is in place for Friday just in case. But as far as we are concerned we are still confident to be able to hold the competition tomorrow."

Tuesday's race would mark the first time Olympic athletes have competed in the river since 1900.

Triathlete Maria Tome from Portugal says she – and other competitors – are trying to stay focused.

“I think that all of the triathletes want there to be a triathlon, so we are doing all like if it was going to be.” // “We have tried last year, we had like a test event so we already know the conditions. So let’s see, I hope it can be on the river.”

Paris 2024's Thobois says a final decision will be made Tuesday at 4 a.m. based on samples taken from the river 24 hours before.

Athletes will be informed immediately if the raced is canceled.

France invested $1.4 billion in new wastewater infrastructure to reduce the amount of sewage flowing into the river and a swimmable Seine is a key legacy Games organizers aim to leave behind.