Open water training on the Seine canceled due to fuel detection
- Open water training on the Seine canceled due to fuel
- A small amount of oil found in the competition area
- Cleanup of the river and additional water checks are being conducted
- The safety of athletes remains the top priority
The European Aquatics Federation (LEN) officially announced the cancellation of all open water training scheduled for August 6 on the Seine River after a small amount of fuel was detected in close proximity to the competition venue.
According to federation representatives, although recent laboratory tests confirmed that the river water meets the standards required for international competitions, traces of oil were recorded in the athletes' training area. The cause of the contamination has not yet been clarified, but the incident prompted an immediate response from local environmental services.
In response to the detection of fuel residues in the Seine, special teams have been deployed, which have already begun water purification. The operations include the use of absorbent materials and control samples to assess the level of contamination and the effectiveness of the cleaning measures.
The cancellation of the training session did not affect the already held competitions in the framework of the 2026 European Championship in water sports for open water swimming, where athletes from different countries have already won medals. However, the schedule for further stages will be adjusted to ensure the safety of participants.
The safety of athletes is a priority
LEN emphasized that the health and safety of athletes remain the top priority when organizing any events. Additional water quality checks will be conducted before each training session and competition to ensure its complete suitability.
The 2026 European Championship, taking place in Paris, has become an important platform for demonstrating the level of preparation of European sports for the upcoming Olympic Games. The open water in the Seine has been used multiple times for international competitions, and its ecological condition is under constant monitoring.
The ecological situation in the Seine River is traditionally complicated by intense shipping and industrial discharges, making water quality control particularly relevant. The fuel incident highlights the need for constant oversight and rapid response to any deviations from the norm.
The federation assured that after the completion of the cleaning work, a comprehensive set of analytical tests will be conducted, the results of which will be published. This will allow athletes and their coaches to plan further training without health risks.
Source: Championat
