The triathlon team from Australia is calling on the organisers of the Paris Olympics to ensure that the swim segment goes ahead, irrespective of the River Seine’s water quality, as they have received vaccinations.
The heavy rainfall that disturbed the opening ceremony on Friday night poses a significant concern for the event.
Increased water pollution remains a persistent worry for both the triathlon and marathon swimming events.
However, the Australian athletes are clear that they want the 1.5km swim to proceed next week, regardless of the water quality issues.
When asked if he would participate in the Seine swim despite the conditions, top medal hopeful Matt Hauser enthusiastically replied, ‘bloody oath I would.’
‘We are anticipating a triathlon. Everything seems positive thus far. Swim familiarisation may not take place tomorrow, for athlete safety,’ Hauser stated on Saturday.
‘The organisers are managing all matters and we are convinced that the events scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday will continue as planned.
‘As a strong swimmer, I definitely want a triathlon—everybody, from the frontrunners to the less experienced swimmers, is on board with having a triathlon.
Matt Hauser expressed enthusiasm for swimming in the Seine, stating ‘bloody oath I would’
‘It will test the mettle of an Olympic champion. It absolutely must be a triathlon.’
‘All indications point to the fact that it will be a triathlon, which is fantastic.’
The men’s triathlon is set for Tuesday, followed by the women’s event on Wednesday, featuring the same 1.5km swim, 40km bike ride, and a 10km run in central Paris.
The mixed team relay, also taking place in the Seine, is scheduled for August 5.
‘We’ve experienced swimming in quite poor water before. We’ve taken every precaution and received vaccinations,’ Hauser mentioned.
‘We are ready for whatever may occur.’
The organisers may opt to change the triathlon into a bike-run duathlon and relocate the marathon swimming to the rowing venue.
‘No matter what challenges arise, I’m ready. If it shifts to a duathlon, we will compete,’ Hauser stated.
‘That would be quite disappointing, but we genuinely believe it’s going to be a triathlon.’
The rainy conditions are likely to create a stronger current, favoring skilled swimmers like Hauser on the out-and-back course.
Athletes dive into the Seine River from the Alexander III bridge during the first leg of the women’s triathlon test event for the 2024 Paris Olympics
Teammate Natalie Van Coevorden, who has previously swum in the Seine, shares Hauser’s eagerness for the original format to remain.
‘I swam here last year and it was perfectly fine… we are more than capable of handling any conditions,’ Van Coevorden commented.
Hauser is coming off a victory in Hamburg and is one of the prominent figures in his second Olympic appearance.
‘While confidence is essential, it’s also about knowing your abilities and the training you’ve put in over three-plus years,’ he said.
