Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Olympics
Tom Jenkins
The men's Olympic triathlon has been postponed just hours before it was due to start, due to concerns for the athlete's safety.
The Paris Olympics got fully underway last weekend following the opening ceremony, with Japan leading the medal table as it stands with six gold medals so far.
Great Britain have got off to a steady start themselves as they look to finish higher than the 4th place they managed in Tokyo, currently sitting seventh in the 2024 standings with two golds and 10 total medals.
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Team GB looked set for another medal in the triathlon with Alex Yee being the favourite for the men's race, but the 26-year-old will have to wait to see if the water quality improves.
The men's race has been confirmed to now start at 10:45 on Wednesday following the conclusion of the women's triathlon which is set for 8am, however, the current forecast for Wednesday currently shows thunder which could add complications.
The organisers have released the following statement after a 3:30am meeting on Tuesday morning where the water was tested.
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“Considering the latest weather information, it has been decided to schedule the men’s triathlon event on 31 July at 10.45 am. The women’s triathlon is due to take place the same day at 8am," The statement read.
“Both triathlons are subject to the forthcoming water tests complying with the established World Triathlon thresholds for swimming. The original contingency day also remains in place for 2 August, for further consideration.
“Paris 2024 and World Triathlon reiterate that their priority is the health of the athletes. The tests carried out in the Seine today revealed water quality levels that did not provide sufficient guarantees to allow the event to be held.
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“Unfortunately, meteorological events beyond our control, such as the rain which fell over Paris on 26 and 27 July, can alter water quality and compel us to reschedule the event for health reasons. Despite the improvement on the water quality levels in the last hours, the readings at some points of the swim course are still above the acceptable limits," The statement concluded.