Paris’ $2.3 billion attempt to clean up the river Seine in time for it to host the Olympic triathlon may have failed.
World Triathlon and Paris 2024 announced they were forced to cancel the first training session for athletes, being held two days out from the men’s triathlon.
Heavy rain caused the water quality to fall below the acceptable standard but if it dries up, there is still some chance the event occurs.
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“The priority is the health of the athletes,” World Triathlon and Paris 2024’s statement read.
“The tests carried out in the Seine revealed water quality levels that in the view of the international federation, World Triathlon, did not provide sufficient guarantees to allow the event to be held.
“Given the weather forecast for the next 48 hours, Paris 2024 and World Triathlon are confident that water quality will return to below limits before the start for of the triathlon competitions (on 30 July).”
If the water quality remains poor the events could be postponed or moved to the Marne river east of Paris.
FEARS OVER RAFA-DJOKER SHOWDOWN
Rafael Nadal looks poised to pull the plug on the chance of a highly-anticipated Olympic showdown with Novak Djokovic after making the second round of the doubles with Spanish compatriot Carlos Alcaraz.
The 38-year-old effectively ruled himself out of the singles tournament as he battles a thigh injury picked up in training at Roland Garros, the scene of 14 of his 22 Grand Slam triumphs.
Nadal is still listed to face Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics on Sunday, with Djokovic lying in wait.
The Serbian world number two completed his part of the bargain earlier Saturday with a straight-sets demolition of Australia’s Matthew Ebden.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen, I don’t know if I am going to play tomorrow or not,” said Nadal, a singles gold medallist in 2008 and doubles champion eight years later in Rio.
“I will talk to my people and make the smartest decision that I can to have the best chance of bringing a medal home, so let’s see.”
Nadal, whose career has been plagued by injuries, is playing in only his seventh tournament of the year. His singles ranking has plummeted to 161.
On Saturday, Nadal and Alcaraz, playing together for the first time, defeated Argentina’s Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 in their doubles opener.
Alcaraz had earlier enjoyed a winning start to his Olympic Games career when he swept aside Lebanon’s Hady Habib, the world number 275, in just 70 minutes winning 6-3, 6-1.
“It was an incredible experience, the energy of the crowd was crazy,” said third-ranked Alcaraz, who won the French Open on the same court last month.
Djokovic, chasing a first Olympic gold to add to his 24 Grand Slams, brushed aside Australia’s Matthew Ebden 6-0, 6-1 in just 53 minutes under the roof of Court Philippe Chatrier.
Djokovic said he had been looking forward to the prospect of facing Nadal again.
“If we face each other, it’s possibly going to be for the last time on the big stage,” said the Serb.
Djokovic was barely pushed by 36-year-old Ebden, who only made the tournament as an alternate after a series of injury pullouts.
The Australian Open doubles champion was broken six times and hit just seven winners to the 24 of Djokovic.
Source Agencies
