Thursday, the Triathlon Test Event allowed the 65 best triathletes on the planet to challenge each other, in the heart of Paris, in particular in the Seine.
At the heart of discussions in recent weeks, will the Seine be ready for Paris 2024? She passed a hell of a test this Thursday during the women’s event of the Triathlon Test Event. 65 competitors plunged into the river at the Alexandre III bridge for a 1,500m swim to the Alma bridge, before continuing on for 40 km by bike and then 10 km of running.
The organization of this race was a first step towards the organization of the triathlon, para triathlon and marathon swimming events during the Paris 2024 Games which will take place in the Seine, in the heart of the capital, at the level of the Alexandre III bridge, at the foot of the Grand Palais and the Invalides on scenic and urban routes.
A crucial first step
Important measures have already been taken since 2020 to improve the quality of the water of the Seine, thanks to the commitment of many actors (State, City of Paris, SIAAP, departmental councils of 93 and 94 in particular). Work has already been carried out and is producing effects in dry weather: commissioning in early summer 2023 of the disinfection of discharges from the two wastewater treatment plants upstream of Paris on the Seine and the Marne, or even work to bring public networks into compliance and poor connections and boat connections on the quays of the Seine.
“The organization of this first triathlon test event in the heart of Paris is a real success, with swimming in the Seine, an exceptional course at the foot of the most beautiful Parisian monuments, and of course a great sporting moment”believes Tony Estanguet, President of Paris 2024. Marc Guillaume, prefect of the Île-de-France region, prefect of Paris, ensures for his part that “Holding this first competition in the Seine is an important step in the battle to make the Seine swimmable. It demonstrates that the bathing plan launched in 2020 is producing its effects. 2024. »
