France cancels open water swimming training in Seine River due to pollution

By Can Erozden

France canceled a training session Thursday for an open water swimming event in the Seine River due to pollution caused by heavy rains.

"Following recent heavy rainfall in Paris, the water quality in the Seine has currently fallen below acceptable standards for safeguarding swimmers’ health. Consequently, the decision has been taken in consultation with public health and event delivery partners to cancel the training session due to take place at 07:30 (0530GMT) on 4 August, ahead of the Open Water Swimming World Cup planned for this weekend," the French Swimming Federation said in a communique.

"Competitions remain scheduled for 5 and 6 August, pending further water quality testing, to ensure athlete health," the country's swimming body said, adding that an update about the schedule of the competitions is expected on Friday afternoon.

The French daily Le Parisien said the Seine is "too polluted" as the training was canceled before this weekend's World Cup, which is a test event for the 2024 Olympic Games in the French capital.

The World Aquatics Open Water Swimming World Cup 2023 - Meet 4, a 10-kilometer (5.39-nautical mile) course in women's and men's, is scheduled to be held beneath Pont Alexandre III in the Seine River on Aug. 5-6.