By Kent Gray/Triathlon.kiwi in Paris
Unfazed. That’s the relaxed disposition of Team NZL after the swim portion on the first morning of triathlon familiarisation at the Paris Olympic Games was cancelled early Sunday (local time).
Unacceptable E.coli levels in the Seine River meant the three Kiwi athletes who travelled into central Paris from the team’s camp in Poissy – Hayden Wilde, Dylan McCullough and Ainsley Thorpe – were restricted to riding the bike course and testing the run course.
Recent rain in Paris was blamed for the heightened water quality levels after weeks of clear tests.
Travis White, Tri NZ’s General Manager of Performance, returned to Poissy in the outskirts of Paris comfortable with the decision taken. Like officials, he’s said Team NZL remained optimistic the water quality will improve sufficiently for the swim to go ahead as scheduled in the July 30 men’s and July 31 women’s individual races.
There is another round of familiarisation early Monday (local time) that the fourth member of the Team NZL quartet, Nicole van der Kaay, will attend.
“As excepted after a few days of heavy rain, we were unable to complete the swim famil this morning but with two days of sunshine ahead, all things are pointing in the right direction,” White said.
All four Kiwi athletes experienced the Seine during last year’s Paris Olympics Test Event but anticipate a new dynamic for the “Big Dance”.
“The river flow is fast, faster the test event, but it’s being monitored regularly,” White said.
“It’s higher than anticipated but currently within limits. It is what it is. Our athletes are resilient. They’re all ready for the big day. We cannot wait.”
Both the men’s (Tuesday) and women’s (Wednesday) races are to be broadcast live of Sky Sport from 6pm NZ.
August 2 has been set aside as a reserve day if either or both cannot be raced for any reason. A duathlon is also a possibility, albeit unwanted.
The Mixed relay is on August 5 with a reserve day set aside for August 6.
