While the water quality of the Seine played a major role two weeks ago during the Olympic Games in Paris – the men’s race, for example, was postponed for a day, the swim course reccy’s were cancelled and until a few hours before the start of all races, it was uncertain whether the races would go ahead at all – for the upcoming Paralympic Games, too, there is uncertainty as to whether swimming will be possible. However, alternative scenarios have been better considered.
The Paralympic triathlons will take place on September 1 and 2, and there are concerns mainly about the high flow of the Seine as well as the fast current at this point. Even during the Olympics the current was already a concern, but for para-athletes the current is on average a bigger problem so that makes this an extra point of concern.
World Triathlon has apparently learned a lesson from the Olympics because with the Paralympics, a decision on the format to choose will be made two days before the races anyway. Scenario A involves a 750-meter swim lap, but that can only be done if the current is less than 1 meter per second. In scenario B, the starting location is changed and there is only downstream swimming. The distance then depends on the current velocity, but maxes out at 1500 meters, using the usual swim time of para-athletes over a classic 750 meters as a guide.
Scenario C is by far the least favorite; then there will be no swimming and duathlons will be organized.
