With the Olympic triathlon set to take place in Paris, former German triathlete Jan Frodeno has voiced concerns about the health risks posed by the poor water quality in the Seine. Just a day before the event, the water is deemed too polluted for safe swimming.
Frodeno is familiar with the risks of polluted waters.
"The athletes would all prefer to take the risk and have a triathlon instead of a duathlon," the 43-year-old athlete told Der Spiegel.
However, he recalls how his wife, Emma Frodeno, had to end her career due to health issues from swimming in polluted water at a World Cup event.
Emma, an Australian athlete, won Olympic gold in Beijing in 2008 under her maiden name Snowsill but retired in 2014 after struggling with health problems linked to contaminated water.
Also read
Triathlon Training Canceled
Recent heavy rains in Paris led to the cancellation of triathletes' training sessions on Sunday and Monday. Water samples showed that pollution levels in the Seine had exceeded safe limits.
The poor water quality could lead to adjustments for the triathlon event planned for Tuesday at 8 a.m. (local time).
Options include postponing the race to Friday or, in an emergency, canceling the swimming portion entirely. If the swim is canceled, the event would be transformed into a duathlon, involving running, cycling, and running.
Frodeno noted that a duathlon result might carry a symbolic asterisk, even though the favorites would likely remain unchanged.
"A duathlon would probably leave a medal with an asterisk forever, even if the absolute favorites were probably the same," said Frodeno.
If the swim portion proceeds, the strong current of the Seine could further complicate the race.
"It would probably remain fair, but it would just make things more uncertain for the athletes," explained Frodeno.
