E. coli levels in the Seine River are 'alarmingly high' ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics

world news

by Katherine Donlevy

Seine, that's not true!

'Alarmingly high' levels of E. coli have been detected in the famous Pali River. This could derail the triathlon section of the upcoming Summer Olympics.

The nonprofit Surfrider Foundation Europe said samples collected from the Seine over the past six months frequently showed bacterial levels twice the world triathlon standard.

The highly anticipated race could be postponed or canceled if pollution levels are too high by the time the July competition begins.

“We're working hard on that. You know that's one of the bigger challenges,” Paris 2024 president Tony Estanguet said at the SportAccord conference in the UK on Tuesday. Told.

“When we decided to hold this competition on the Seine, we knew it would be a big challenge. But the authorities have a big investment program and when you talk about heritage, this project is great. ”

Surfrider completed 14 tests between September 2023 and March 2024, all of which found poor water quality.

Eight of the samples had levels of E. coli (bacteria commonly found in the lower intestines of warm-blooded organisms and passed in faeces) that are acceptable under the European Bathing Water Directive and International Swimming and Triathlon Federation standards. It was twice the level.

One day, E. coli levels were found to be nearly four times the acceptable level.

The shocking samples were collected at the Pont Alexandre III, the starting point for the Olympic and Paralympic triathlon and marathon swimming competitions.

“As the spotlight shines on the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, a shadow looms over the water quality of the Seine,” Surfrider said in a statement.

The nonprofit group traced the widespread pollution to rainfall, malfunctioning sewage systems, and animal waste.

Estinguett suggested the triathlon competition could be postponed to the end of the 19-day event. The event, which also includes cycling and running events, is currently scheduled to begin on July 30, four days after the opening ceremony.

As it is an outdoor event, plans are already in place to postpone the race in the event of flooding, rain or other natural phenomena, which the committee could follow if pollution levels become too high.

According to the Mayo Clinic, most E. coli strains cause only mild symptoms, but some strains can cause severe abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting.