Matt LeGrand is one of the world’s most-prominent triathlon Vloggers, which means that he has taken a keen interest in the ongoing water quality saga in the Seine in Paris.
While open water swimming faces a water quality challenge, Olympic organizers have finally announced a Plan B in the event’s rowing venue if the Seine water quality isn’t up to par when it’s time to race.
Triathlon faces a more existential threat – it is Seine or bust, with organizers keen to keep the iconic Parisian backdrops of the Eiffel Tower and Champs Elysees as part of the event in the city’s core.
In this 10 minute explainer video, LeGrand breaks down the data behind the latest tests of the Seine. Conditions are improving, enough so for the Mayor of Paris to come through on her promise to swim in the river before the Olympics, though that doesn’t exactly make it a pristine flowage through which athletes are going to be excited to swim.
Plan B for Triathlon: Just have the triathletes complete the swimming portion of the race in the pool. This is a much better solution than removing the swimming portion from the race.
The pool is far from the course. At that point they may as well change the course and the swimming be wherever Open Water plan B is.
Thanks for this, very interesting. And a bit disturbing. Fingers crossed!
I once swam in nasty water for an OW race (St.Johns River in Jacksonville, FL) – gave myself a shot of Rocephin right after I got out! But wouldn’t protect one from everything!