Par Johan Beausergent
Published 44 minutes ago, Updated now
Boat Race rowers are warned about the low quality of the Thames. HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP
Scheduled for this Saturday March 30, the famous rowing race between the universities of Cambridge and Oxford is facing significant pollution of the Thames.
It is a tradition of more than two centuries which is threatened by pollution. There Boat Race, a rowing race between the universities of Oxford and Cambridge since 1829, is being undermined this year. In question, analyzes having demonstrated a strong presence of a bacteria called Escherichia coli (E.Coli) in the waters of the Thames. THE revealed indicate pollution levels 10 times higher at levels classified as ” bad “
The organizers of the prestigious Boat Race invited the rowers of both teams to cover any open wounds and wash at a dedicated cleaning station after their ordeal, March 30, 2024.
“A national shame”
In recent years, private water companies in England have been heavily criticized for dumping untreated sewage and rainwater into the river. Oxford’s coach since 1997,Sean Bowdenspeaks for his part about a worrying subject and “a national shame”. The traditional victorious coxswain’s throw in British waters is not expected to take place this year.
The subject of pollution of the Thames is not new but gets worse year after year. To combat this phenomenon, the London public authorities have launched a super sewer project. A massive 25 kilometer tunnel is being built at a cost of £5 billion, and is due to be operational by 2025.
