After water quality concerns canceled test runs, Olympic triathletes plunge into the Seine for relay
Olympic triathletes plunged into the Seine River when the mixed relay event got underway after organizers said the bacteria levels in the long-polluted Paris waterway were at acceptable levels
PARIS (AP) — Olympic triathletes plunged into the Seine River for the mixed relay event Monday after organizers said bacteria levels in the long-polluted Paris waterway were at acceptable levels.
The plan to hold the swimming portion of the triathlons and the marathon swimming events in the Seine was an ambitious one. Swimming in the river has, with some exceptions, been off-limits since 1923 because it has been too toxic.
Representatives from World Triathlon and the International Olympic Committee along with Paris Games organizers and regional and weather authorities met Sunday night to review water tests. The results indicated the water quality at the triathlon site had improved over the preceding hours and would be within the limits mandated by World Triathlon by Monday morning, they said in a statement.
In a very close sprint finish, the team from Germany won the gold medal in the team relay Monday, with the United States taking silver and Britain clinching bronze.
