Paris Olympic Triathlon Events Face Water Quality Concerns

The swimming events at the 2024 Paris Olympics may be impacted by the shallow depth of the pool, measuring only 2.2 meters, which could affect performance by creating turbulent conditions for swimmers, according to the Wall Street Journal. Meanwhile, there are concerns regarding water quality in the Seine River, leading to the potential postponement of the triathlon competitions, as officials monitor bacteria levels closely. Deputy Mayor Pierre Rabadan indicated that the triathlon's swimming component might be shifted to a reserve day if pollution levels do not improve. Additionally, a doping scandal involving 23 Chinese swimmers has emerged, with accusations of contamination leading to positive tests for a banned substance prior to the Tokyo Olympics, raising questions about fairness for the upcoming Games. The World Anti-Doping Agency's handling of these cases has faced scrutiny, especially in light of differing treatments for athletes from Russia and China. As competitions approach, the integrity of the events remains under intense scrutiny due to these ongoing issues.