Paris 2024 Marathon Swimming: Seine's Waters Could Shift Venue

The Paris 2024 marathon swimming event may be relocated outside Paris if the River Seine proves unsuitable for bathing. Authorities have a backup plan to use Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium. Recent data shows improvements in Seine water quality, but previous sewer issues led to event cancellations.

The Paris 2024 marathon swimming event might be held outside Paris if the River Seine is not suitable for bathing, organizers revealed on Friday. 'World Triathlon rules permit, as a last resort, for the competition to take place in a duathlon format,' a Paris 2024 spokesperson informed Reuters.

Authorities have initiated a fallback plan to host the event at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, which is already equipped for rowing and canoeing events. Recent data indicated an improvement in the Seine's water quality, with bacteria levels remaining below legal thresholds on most days.

Efforts to clean the Seine aim to restore it to its 1900 Olympics condition, but recent sewer problems led to a pre-Olympics event cancellation. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo postponed a planned swim in the river, trusting state and city efforts to make the Seine swimmable.

(Disclaimer: With inputs from agencies.)