PARIS, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Paralympic triathlon events scheduled for Sunday have been postponed for a day due to the poor water quality in the River Seine in Paris.
The 11 scheduled races suffered after heavy rain affected the water, leading organizers to put back the events by 24 hours, with World Triathlon issuing a statement explaining: "The latest tests show a decrease in water quality in the river following the rain episodes over the last two days."
"As a result, the water quality at the competition venue on Sunday, 1 September is not suitable for swimming and above the threshold established by World Triathlon."
"It has been decided to schedule all 11 Para triathlon medal vents on 2 September. This is subject to the forthcoming water tests complying with the established World Triathlon thresholds for swimming."
"Paris 2024 and World Triathlon reiterate that their priority is the health of the athletes and with these conditions, the Para triathlon events cannot take place today," added the communique.
The delay has echoes of what happened at the Olympic Games in July when practice sessions had to be canceled and the men's triathlon was delayed by 24 hours after rain led to unacceptable levels of bacteria in Paris' emblematic river. ■
