Triathletes now know the routes of the triathlon events that will take place in the center of the capital with a passage in the Seine, a first. The explanations.
If a few weeks ago the marathon course for the Olympic Games was unveiled, Tony Estanguet this time revealed the route of the course for the triathlon events which will be three in number. Almost identical, the proofs have some differences. All departures and all arrivals will be at Pont Alexandre III. The objective of the organization is to highlight the Parisian monuments, the Olympic Games being a very popular international event. The Grand Palais, the Petit Palais, the National Assembly, the Boulevard Saint-Germain, the Musée d’Orsay and the Avenue des Champs Elysées will be the showcases of the capital and the country during these triathlon events. In reality, all will remain within the same perimeter. The only things that really change are the distance and sometimes the mileage of the course.
But the great novelty of the triathlon courses is the passage through the Seine. “This is the first time that an Olympic triathlon has been contested in a river”, detailed Tony Estanguet during the presentation officiated on Thursday April 27, 2023. The President of the OCOG obviously welcomed this innovation and the physical difficulty to which the participants will have to adapt. “The good news is that the athletes will have current in one direction, but they will swim against the current in the other.” After 1.5 km of swimming in the Seine therefore, the competitors back on land will have to climb the 32 steps which separate them from the quays before of course starting the traditional 40 km of cycling and 10 km of running.
According to article 1 of the ordinance of the prefect of police of April 17, 1923, swimming is prohibited in the Seine in Paris. This decree is 100 years old. 101 years later, swimming should be re-authorized in the capital. Until now, the water was considered too polluting and too dangerous for health with the multitude of bacteria present. Each year, nearly 360 tonnes of waste are collected from the river. In January, however, the President of the Republic was pleased to be “on the verge of succeeding”, in making the “Seine swimmable”. This comment came 500 days before the Olympic Games, a major sporting event for the French government, which wants to look good in the eyes of the whole world by making the river accessible to everyone. For 2024, the objective is “to erase three quarters of the pollution” linked to bad connections. “If we reach this 75% target, it should be possible to swim in the Seine. Paris City Sports Deputy Pierre Rabadan recalled that three sites will be open to the general public in Paris in 2025.
Ticket prices for the Olympic Games have for some events been quite expensive. Rest assured, the triathlon is an outdoor event. The circuit passing through several places in the capital, will be accessible to the general public who will not need to make the slightest expense with the exception of 3,000 seats sold in the grandstand, including 1,000 on the Pont Alexandre III.
On August 17 and 20, tests will be carried out on the Olympic circuit detailed this Thursday, April 27 by Tony Estanguet. But the real dates were also communicated by the former Olympic rowing champion. The individual women’s and men’s events will take place on July 30 and 31, 2024. The mixed relay will take place on August 5, 2024. Finally, the Paralympic events will take place a month later, that is to say on September 1 and 2. .