Triathlon training for Paris Olympics cancelled again over Seine pollution. Is there a plan B?

Organisers claim they are confident the levels will improve, but are there alternatives to swimming in the Seine?

Transcript

00:00For the second day in a row, the training for the triathlon competition of the Paris

00:11Olympics has been postponed because the water quality of the Seine River just behind me

00:16is too polluted.

00:18The main events, the men's triathlon, is supposed to take place on Tuesday and the women's is

00:23supposed to take place the day after on Wednesday.

00:26So what happens in case the water quality does not improve?

00:29Well, local authorities are insisting that they'll just keep postponing until the Seine

00:34becomes less polluted.

00:36However, let's say in the extreme case that it doesn't, well then the triathlon will become

00:41a duathlon.

00:42That means that triathletes will only compete in the cycling and running sections of the

00:46competition.

00:47So that means no swimming.

00:49And as for the marathon swimming events that are scheduled for August 8th and August 9th

00:53in the Seine River, well the city does have a plan B in case the water is still too polluted

01:00and that's that the events will take place in a nautical stadium east of Paris.

01:06And if necessary, the events could also be moved to where the canoeing and rowing competitions

01:11are currently being held.

01:13Sofia Katsenkova reporting from Paris for Euronews.