Men’s Olympic triathlon postponed in Paris over Seine water quality concerns

PARIS (AP) — Concerns about water quality in the Seine River led Paris Olympics organizers to postpone the men’s triathlon Tuesday, with officials hoping the swimming portion of the race will be able to go forward in the long-polluted waterway in the coming days following an expensive cleanup effort.

Organizers said they will try to hold the men's triathlon Wednesday instead. The women's competition also is scheduled that day, but both will only go forward if water tests show acceptable levels of E. coli and other bacteria in the river. Friday is also planned as a backup date.

However, storms or rain are forecast Tuesday night through Thursday, which could complicate efforts to reschedule the events because rain generally causes bacteria levels in the Seine to rise.

Paris experienced a downpour during the Olympic opening ceremony Friday, with rain persisting into Saturday. The swimming portion of training events meant to let the triathletes familiarize themselves with the course was canceled on both Sunday and Monday because of concerns over water quality.

“There are unfortunate meteorological events outside of our control," said Aurélie Merle, the Paris 2024 director of sports. “But otherwise the project is still very strong. When we see the impact on the quality and the legacy that we can leave also to the Parisians, we all feel extremely proud of what we’ve done so far.”

The delays come after Olympic organizers and city officials had expressed confidence in recent days that bacteria levels would improve as skies cleared and temperatures warmed this week, but that apparently wasn’t sufficient to ensure the athletes’ safety. The sun’s ultraviolet rays can kill the bacteria and lower levels, and Tuesday is hot and sunny.

Paris spent 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion) to improve the water quality in the Seine so the swimming portion of the triathlon and the marathon swimming event next week could be held in the famed river that runs through the city center. But bacteria levels have remained in flux.

The decision to postpone the men's triathlon followed a meeting early Tuesday that included the sport’s governing body, World Triathlon, its medical team, the IOC and city officials.

“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,” organizers said, stressing that their “priority is the health of the athletes.”

Paris Deputy Mayor Pierre Rabadan said “the trend is improving" but “we are still not below the necessary threshold.”

To hold the two competitions on the Seine on Wednesday “seems to us to be the best option,” he said. However, he did not rule out further delays ”if there is an issue tomorrow after the results of the analysis."

Daily water quality tests measure levels of fecal bacteria known as E. coli, with a safe limit of 900 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters determined by European rules. Monitoring group Eau de Paris releases data each Friday, but it is updated only through the previous Tuesday.

One of four test sites was below the threshold for E. coli Tuesday morning, said Merle of Paris 2024. Two other sites were just above the limit and one was more elevated, she said, citing a range of 980 to 1,553.

High levels of E. coli in water can indicate contamination from sewage. Most strains are harmless and some live in the intestines of healthy people and animals. But others can be dangerous. Even a mouthful of contaminated water can lead to diarrhea, and the germ can cause illnesses such as infections in the urinary tract or in the intestines.

Efforts to make the river suitable for swimming cost 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion). They included the construction of a giant basin to capture excess rainwater and keep wastewater from flowing into the river, renovating sewer infrastructure and upgrading wastewater treatment plants.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo very publicly took a swim in the river two weeks ago, along with Paris 2024 chief Tony Estanguet, and the top government official for the Paris region, Marc Guillaume, along with swimmers from local swimming clubs. Data released last week show that E. coli levels at the Bras Marie were at 985 units per 100 milliliters that day, slightly above the established threshold.

The men’s triathlon is now scheduled to start at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, which may make heat more of a factor as the event may be finishing at the hottest part of the day. The women’s race is set to go forward at 8 a.m. as originally planned.

Other swimming events planned in the Seine are the triathlon mixed relay on Aug. 5 and the women's and men's marathon swimming events on Aug. 8 and Aug. 9.

AP writers Barbara Surk in Nice and Devna Bose in Jackson, Mississippi, contributed.

AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

A man wipes his face as he walks past reproductions of artworks decorating the banks of the River Seineat the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Paris, France. The men's Olympic triathlon has been postponed over concerns about water quality in Paris' Seine River, where the swimming portion of the race was supposed to take place. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

People sit out along the Seine river during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Paris. As the Olympics continue in Paris, the Seine River's water quality remains a major area of concern for officials. Organizers of the triathlon event cancelled swimming practice on Monday for the second day in a row because of poor water quality. Event organizers hope sunny weather will make swimming viable on Tuesday when the triathlon begins. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Buoys sit along the Seine river as the triathlon event venue on the Pont Alexandre III bridge stands in the background at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Paris. As the Olympics continue in Paris, the Seine River's water quality remains a major area of concern for officials. Organizers of the triathlon event cancelled swimming practice on Monday for the second day in a row because of poor water quality. Event organizers hope sunny weather will make swimming viable on Tuesday when the triathlon begins. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Waves crash along the banks of the Seine River in front of the Eiffel Tower during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Paris. As the Olympics continue in Paris, the Seine River's water quality remains a major area of concern for officials. Organizers of the triathlon event cancelled swimming practice on Monday for the second day in a row because of poor water quality. Event organizers hope sunny weather will make swimming viable on Tuesday when the triathlon begins. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Technicians remove the pontoon for the start of the triathlon events after the event was postponed over concerns about water quality in Paris' Seine River, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at the Pont Alexandre III bridge in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Technicians remove the pontoon for the start of the triathlon events after the event was postponed over concerns about water quality in Paris' Seine River, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at the Pont Alexandre III bridge in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Yasin Dar)

Technicians remove the pontoon for the start of the triathlon events after the event was postponed over concerns about water quality in Paris' Seine River, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at the Pont Alexandre III bridge in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Technicians remove the pontoon for the start of the triathlon events after the event was postponed over concerns about water quality in Paris' Seine River, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at the Pont Alexandre III bridge in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Yasin Dar)

Ducks swim along the Seine River in front of the Eiffel Tower during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Paris. As the Olympics continue in Paris, the Seine River's water quality remains a major area of concern for officials. Organizers of the triathlon event cancelled swimming practice on Monday for the second day in a row because of poor water quality. Event organizers hope sunny weather will make swimming viable on Tuesday when the triathlon begins. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

The Seine River flows in front of the Pont Alexandre III bridge, site of the triathlon events at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Paris. As the Olympics continue in Paris, the Seine River's water quality remains a major area of concern for officials. Organizers of the triathlon event cancelled swimming practice on Monday for the second day in a row because of poor water quality. Event organizers hope sunny weather will make swimming viable on Tuesday when the triathlon begins. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Technicians remove the pontoon for the start of the triathlon events after the event was postponed over concerns about water quality in Paris' Seine River, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at the Pont Alexandre III bridge in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Technicians remove the pontoon for the start of the triathlon events after the event was postponed over concerns about water quality in Paris' Seine River, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at the Pont Alexandre III bridge in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Yasin Dar)

Technicians remove the pontoon for the start of the triathlon events after the event was postponed over concerns about water quality in Paris' Seine River, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at the Pont Alexandre III bridge in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

A boat sails past reproductions of artworks decorating the banks of the River Seineat the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Paris, France. The men's Olympic triathlon has been postponed over concerns about water quality in Paris' Seine River, where the swimming portion of the race was supposed to take place. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)

A man wipes his face as he walks past reproductions of artworks decorating the banks of the River Seineat the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Paris, France. The men's Olympic triathlon has been postponed over concerns about water quality in Paris' Seine River, where the swimming portion of the race was supposed to take place. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

A man wipes his face as he walks past reproductions of artworks decorating the banks of the River Seineat the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Paris, France. The men's Olympic triathlon has been postponed over concerns about water quality in Paris' Seine River, where the swimming portion of the race was supposed to take place. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

A man walks with a dog past reproductions of artworks decorating the banks of the River Seineat the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Paris, France. The men's Olympic triathlon has been postponed over concerns about water quality in Paris' Seine River, where the swimming portion of the race was supposed to take place. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)

A ship sails past reproductions of artworks decorating the banks of the River Seineat the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Paris, France. The men's Olympic triathlon has been postponed over concerns about water quality in Paris' Seine River, where the swimming portion of the race was supposed to take place. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)

Technicians remove the pontoon for the start of the triathlon events after the event was postponed over concerns about water quality in Paris' Seine River, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at the Pont Alexandre III bridge in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Technicians remove the pontoon for the start of the triathlon events after the event was postponed over concerns about water quality in Paris' Seine River, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at the Pont Alexandre III bridge in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Yasin Dar)

Technicians remove the pontoon for the start of the triathlon events after the event was postponed over concerns about water quality in Paris' Seine River, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at the Pont Alexandre III bridge in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Technicians remove the pontoon for the start of the triathlon events after the event was postponed over concerns about water quality in Paris' Seine River, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at the Pont Alexandre III bridge in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Watercraft and buoys sit along the Seine river as the triathlon event venue on the Pont Alexandre III bridge stands in the background at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Leaders of worldwide religions commonly stay at the helm well past retirement age, but it’s not often you find centenarians overseeing major faiths.

That’s what The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has as of Monday when church president Russell M. Nelson turns 100. He had already become the oldest president ever of the Utah-based faith three years ago and now becomes its first to hit the century mark.

“Age, wisdom and spiritual authority go together,” said Angie Hong, a program director for Leadership Education at Duke Divinity School.

Pope Francis is 87. The Dalai Lama is 89. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, who leads Eastern Orthodox Christians worldwide, is 84. Ali al-Sistani, the grand ayatollah who is the senior religious figure for the world’s 200 million Shia Muslims, is 94.

On Nelson’s 100th birthday, the church is commemorating the occasion with a special broadcast in his honor.

The president of the denomination, known widely as the Mormon church, oversees everything from the its multibillion-dollar financial holdings to church doctrine and policy. He also is believed to be a prophet of God and serves until death.

By tradition, the new president is chosen from among the Quorum of The Twelve Apostles, one of the faith’s top governing bodies — specifically its longest tenured member. Selected to join the Quorum in 1984, Nelson has spent four decades in the upper echelons of church leadership.

In 2018, he became the church’s 17th president at 93, making him the second oldest at the time to ever assume the role. Scholars and those who have known him for decades say he wasted no time in reshaping the church, including overhauling worship services and constructing new temples.

Nelson’s advanced age has not been a great concern mainly because of his dynamic leadership, said Patrick Mason, a religion and history professor at Utah State University. He depicted the church’s meaningful service opportunities for its older members as one of its strengths.

“There is a general sensibility that there is wisdom and steadiness that comes with age. There are people who’ve been around and seen things. People find comfort in that,” Mason said.

Though the church continues to expand worldwide and grow its membership, Nelson’s 100th birthday reflects the broader composition of its aging white male leadership. Nelson’s top two counselors — one of whom is his presumed successor — form what the church calls “the first presidency” and are both in their 90s. In total, six of the 15 men in the church’s top leadership panels are 80 or older.

Over the years, some have argued the church would benefit from younger leadership in a changing world. Others have defended the status quo and celebrated the wisdom and spiritual maturity the church’s aging leaders bring to their roles.

“The limitations that are the natural consequence of advancing age can in fact become remarkable sources of spiritual learning and insight. The very factors many may believe limit the effectiveness of these servants can become some of their greatest strengths,” said Quorum member David Bednar in a 2015 General Conference sermon.

He also underscored the opportunities he had to learn from the other members, all of whom were older than him at the time.

Hong, the leadership expert from Duke, said good spiritual leaders are those who “always look to mentor and raise up younger leaders.”

This happens across faith traditions. In Hinduism, for example, aging leaders from various sects choose and guide their successors, while still remaining active and involved in day-to-day operations.

Rank-and-file church members say they are impressed by Nelson's ability to lead at 100 and are blessed to still see him and hear him speak.

“To reach 100 and still be so involved in the day-to-day operations of the church, that’s pretty amazing,” said Hannah Dunn, in an interview outside Temple Square in Salt Lake City the week before the milestone birthday. “I think it goes to show that he’s been sustained by his service.”

Church member Mark Chavez praised Nelson’s administration for building a slate of new temples across the globe and for appointing people from different countries to leadership positions, ushering in a more internationally focused era for the U.S.-based faith.

“He blesses us with both his own generational wisdom and the word of God, and I think he’s made the church feel welcoming to people all over the world,” Chavez said.

Beyond temple building and leadership appointments, Nelson became known for leading the church during the COVID-19 pandemic and cutting its century-long ties with the Boy Scouts of America when the BSA decided to allow openly gay youth members and adult volunteers as well as transgender boys and girls.

The church, under Nelson, said it welcomes LGBTQ+ members but maintains that same-sex marriage is a sin. One of his first commands as president was a call to members of the faith to stop using the shorthand names “Mormon” and “LDS” as substitutes for the full name of the religion.

Born in Salt Lake City in 1924, Nelson joined the religion as a young adult. As a doctor at age 22, he served a two-year Army medical tour of duty during the Korean War after which he resumed a career that included being director of thoracic surgery residency at the University of Utah.

“He walks a very gentle line between underscoring what the doctrine states while expressing love for all involved,” said Sheri Dew, Nelson’s biographer and executive vice president of the Deseret Management Corporation, which is owned by the faith.

“You may not agree with everything he believes," she said. "But any fair assessment of his life would conclude that he has truly tried to make life better for millions of people.”

—-

Bharath reported from Southern California.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

FILE - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints President Russell M. Nelson speaks during a news conference at the Temple Square South Visitors Center in Salt Lake City, on April 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

FILE - President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Russell M. Nelson waves as he departs the church's twice-annual conference, April 7, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)