The Olympic mens triathlon was postponed just hours before it was due to get under way on Tuesday after last-ditch water quality tests in the River Seine revealed unhealthy pollution levels, organisers said.
In a blow to Olympic officials who have repeatedly vowed that the Seine would be safe for athletes to swim in, organisers said the mens event would be delayed by 24 hours and take place immediately after the womens race on Wednesday.
A joint statement from Paris 2024 and World Triathlon blamed the excessive pollution on the heavy rain that deluged the French capital on Friday and Saturday.
Paris 2024 and World Triathlon reiterate that their priority is the health of the athletes, the statement said after a meeting held at 330am local time 0130 GMT.
The tests carried out in the Seine today revealed water quality levels that did not provide sufficient guarantees to allow the event to be held.
