Triathlon training has been postponed again. GETTY IMAGES

Training for open water swimming at the Paris Olympics was cancelled on Tuesday due to poor water quality in the River Seine. This marks the fifth time organisers have acted to protect athletes' health.

The previous four cancellations were related to triathlon events in the French capital, with the men's triathlon being postponed by a day. Despite a €1.4 billion ($1.5 billion) investment to upgrade Paris's sewerage and water treatment systems, the Seine has consistently failed water quality tests throughout the Games. Organisers released a statement early Tuesday announcing the cancellation of the marathon swimming "familiarisation session."

"After the daily situation meeting this morning between Ville de Paris, Paris 2024 and World Aquatics, it has been decided that the familiarisation session to take place today, 6 August 2024 is cancelled," the statement said.

It continued, "The water quality review showed E. coli levels ranged from 326 to 517 (considered "very good" to "good") at the four collection points taken on 5 August between 17:00 and 06:00 CEST.

Triathlon training has been cancelled yet again according to organisers. GETTY IMAGES
Triathlon training has been cancelled yet again according to organisers. GETTY IMAGES

"However, Enterococci levels exceeded World Aquatics maximum thresholds during the morning review. The latest Enterococci samples (taken between 12:30 and 13:20 on 4 August) showed levels exceeding the maximum acceptable World Aquatics thresholds. "Laboratory analysis of the Seine's Enterococci levels for 5 August was available at 11:00 CEST, today. These most recent Enterococci results demonstrate an improvement in the Seine's water quality, but one of the four tests still did not meet acceptable World Aquatics water quality standards.

"A second familiarisation swimming session at the Pont Alexandre III competition venue is scheduled for 7 August from 07:30 to 09:30 CEST. A water quality review session will be held at 04:00 CEST on 7 August, where World Aquatics will decide whether the familiarisation session for 7 August can be held." Several triathletes have expressed frustration over the repeated cancellations and ongoing uncertainty. Despite earlier pollution concerns and illness reports, the River Seine was deemed clean enough for the mixed triathlon relay on Monday. 

The event ended in a thrilling finish, with Germany's Laura Lindemann securing gold, holding off strong competition from the United States and Britain. The women's 10-kilometre marathon swim is scheduled for early Thursday, with the men's event following the next day, though it remains to be seen whether both will go ahead as planned.