The swimming leg of the triathlon at this summer’s Olympics could be cancelled if heavy rain affects water quality in the River Seine, says Paris 2024 president Tony Estanguet.
Recent testing by charity Surfrider Foundation Europe revealed “alarming”, external levels of E. coli in the river.
Estanguet said contingency plans are in place, including delaying the event until later in the Games.
“We knew it will be a big challenge,” he said.
Speaking at Sport Accord in Birmingham, as first reported by the Guardian,, external Estanguet said: “We can postpone for rainy conditions. Because it’s programmed at the beginning of the Games, we can wait for better conditions. So we are confident that it will be possible to use the Seine.
“And there is a final decision where we could not swim – it’s part of the rules of the International Federation. It’s what we want to avoid, of course.”
The Olympics start on 26 July, with the men’s and women’s triathlon scheduled for 30 and 31 July respectively and the mixed event on 5 August.
The Seine is also set to host marathon swimming at the Olympics and the Para-triathlon event at the Paralympics, which start on 28 August.
Surfrider Foundation Europe said 14 water samples taken from near the Alexandre III Bridge, the starting point for the triathlon, marathon swimming and Para-triathlon events, failed to meet safety standards.
Heavy rain in the days leading up to events could raise levels of bacteria in the water.
