Olympics organisers cancel first triathlon training session over Seine pollution levels

The Olympics' first triathlon swimming training session was cancelled on Sunday due to pollution levels in the River Seine.

Organisers say the cancellation was due to heavy rains in recent days but that they were "confident" water quality would improve before the triathlon competition takes place on July 30.  

The first training session for triathletes at the Paris Olympics was scrapped Sunday due to pollution in the River Seine, organisers said.

Following a meeting "on the water quality" and tests, "a joint decision was taken to cancel the swimming part of the triathlon orientation," a Paris 2024 and World Triathlon statement said.

The River Seine was declared clean enough for swimming in tests from mid-July, but doubts remained as to whether the waters would be fit for competition.