03:50Fans reacted with disappointment and anger after officials cancelled the triathlon practice for the Olympic Games in the River Seine in Paris on Sunday.
It followed a review of the water quality, which representatives from Paris 2024 and the international triathlon federation said did not provide a safe environment for training.
"This is a problem we've known about for two years now, and it seems unbelievable that we're still in this situation just two days before the event," said Jorge, a Spanish fan. "I think all athletes would agree to compete, taking the risk. I hope there will be a triathlon... it's just... it seems like a disaster that a solution hasn't been found two days before the race."
Footage also shows boats travelling along the river as well as specialist inflatables for the Games, with the first open-water race, the men's triathlon, scheduled for Tuesday.
"I think the government has put a lot of resources into improving conditions," said French fan, Remi. "The Olympics are a once-in-a-lifetime event in Paris. So maybe it's worth it… [to go ahead]."
The River Seine was the focal point of Friday's opening ceremony, with athletes parading on boats despite heavy rain. Just two weeks ago, Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo swam in the Seine as part of efforts to showcase the pollution clean-up, despite tests back then reporting that the water quality remained unsafe for humans during periods of heavy rain.
"I've seen on the news where they've sort of emptied the river and taken out all the garbage out there and tried to clean it up," said a third fan. "But… if there's going to be a lot of rain, it's going to be difficult to keep it clean. So I know we had a lot of rain the last two days, you could see from the opening ceremony."
Swimming in the Seine has been banned for over 100 years due to the pollution, but the Paris Games invested 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion) in the clean-up. It includes a giant underground water storage basin, renovations to the sewers and upgrades to wastewater treatment. The Summer Games take place from July 26-August 11.
'Seems like a disaster' - Fans react as Olympic triathlon practice cancelled after River Seine water quality review
Fans reacted with disappointment and anger after officials cancelled the triathlon practice for the Olympic Games in the River Seine in Paris on Sunday.
It followed a review of the water quality, which representatives from Paris 2024 and the international triathlon federation said did not provide a safe environment for training.
"This is a problem we've known about for two years now, and it seems unbelievable that we're still in this situation just two days before the event," said Jorge, a Spanish fan. "I think all athletes would agree to compete, taking the risk. I hope there will be a triathlon... it's just... it seems like a disaster that a solution hasn't been found two days before the race."
Footage also shows boats travelling along the river as well as specialist inflatables for the Games, with the first open-water race, the men's triathlon, scheduled for Tuesday.
"I think the government has put a lot of resources into improving conditions," said French fan, Remi. "The Olympics are a once-in-a-lifetime event in Paris. So maybe it's worth it… [to go ahead]."
The River Seine was the focal point of Friday's opening ceremony, with athletes parading on boats despite heavy rain. Just two weeks ago, Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo swam in the Seine as part of efforts to showcase the pollution clean-up, despite tests back then reporting that the water quality remained unsafe for humans during periods of heavy rain.
"I've seen on the news where they've sort of emptied the river and taken out all the garbage out there and tried to clean it up," said a third fan. "But… if there's going to be a lot of rain, it's going to be difficult to keep it clean. So I know we had a lot of rain the last two days, you could see from the opening ceremony."
Swimming in the Seine has been banned for over 100 years due to the pollution, but the Paris Games invested 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion) in the clean-up. It includes a giant underground water storage basin, renovations to the sewers and upgrades to wastewater treatment. The Summer Games take place from July 26-August 11.
Fans reacted with disappointment and anger after officials cancelled the triathlon practice for the Olympic Games in the River Seine in Paris on Sunday.
It followed a review of the water quality, which representatives from Paris 2024 and the international triathlon federation said did not provide a safe environment for training.
"This is a problem we've known about for two years now, and it seems unbelievable that we're still in this situation just two days before the event," said Jorge, a Spanish fan. "I think all athletes would agree to compete, taking the risk. I hope there will be a triathlon... it's just... it seems like a disaster that a solution hasn't been found two days before the race."
Footage also shows boats travelling along the river as well as specialist inflatables for the Games, with the first open-water race, the men's triathlon, scheduled for Tuesday.
"I think the government has put a lot of resources into improving conditions," said French fan, Remi. "The Olympics are a once-in-a-lifetime event in Paris. So maybe it's worth it… [to go ahead]."
The River Seine was the focal point of Friday's opening ceremony, with athletes parading on boats despite heavy rain. Just two weeks ago, Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo swam in the Seine as part of efforts to showcase the pollution clean-up, despite tests back then reporting that the water quality remained unsafe for humans during periods of heavy rain.
"I've seen on the news where they've sort of emptied the river and taken out all the garbage out there and tried to clean it up," said a third fan. "But… if there's going to be a lot of rain, it's going to be difficult to keep it clean. So I know we had a lot of rain the last two days, you could see from the opening ceremony."
Swimming in the Seine has been banned for over 100 years due to the pollution, but the Paris Games invested 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion) in the clean-up. It includes a giant underground water storage basin, renovations to the sewers and upgrades to wastewater treatment. The Summer Games take place from July 26-August 11.