Olympic marathon swim test run is canceled over water quality concerns for Seine River

Olympic marathon swim test run is canceled over water quality concerns for Seine River
Athletes jump into the water to compete in the swimming race in the Seine river, during the mixed relay triathlon, at the 2024 Olympic Games, in Paris on Aug. 5, 2024. (AP)
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Updated 06 August 2024
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Olympic marathon swim test run is canceled over water quality concerns for Seine River

Olympic marathon swim test run is canceled over water quality concerns for Seine River
  • World Aquatics made the decision to cancel the exercise at an early morning meeting, the organization said in a statement
  • Another marathon swimming test event is scheduled for Wednesday, and organizers will decide early that morning whether it will go forward

PARIS: A test run meant to allow Olympic athletes to familiarize themselves with the marathon swimming course in the Seine River was canceled Tuesday over concerns about water quality in the Paris waterway.
World Aquatics made the decision to cancel the exercise at an early morning meeting, the organization said in a statement. Fluctuating bacteria levels in the long-polluted waterway have been a constant concern throughout the Games with the swimming portion of the triathlon and the marathon swimming events both planned in the river.
Another marathon swimming test event is scheduled for Wednesday, and organizers will decide early that morning whether it will go forward, the statement said. The women’s marathon swim competition is set for Thursday, while the men are scheduled to race Friday.
The cancelation of Tuesday’s marathon swimming test event comes a day after the triathlon mixed relay event was held in the river that runs through the center of the French capital. World Triathlon released data Tuesday showing that when the triathletes swam Monday, the levels of fecal bacteria E. coli and enterococci were within acceptable levels for the length of the triathlon relay course.
The swimming portion of the triathlon and the marathon swim both start and finish at the Pont Alexandre III, but the marathon swimming course extends farther down the river. Marathon swimmers do six laps on the 1.67-kilometer (1 mile) course for a total of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles.)
Water samples drawn early Monday showed E. coli levels ranging from “good” to “very good” at four collection points in the river, World Aquatics said.
It takes longer to cultivate enterococci samples, so the decision to cancel Tuesday’s test run relied on samples taken Sunday, organizers said. Monday’s enterococci levels were available by midmorning Tuesday and while they showed an improvement in the river’s water quality, one of four tests still fell short of World Aquatics standards.
Under both World Aquatics and World Triathlon guidelines, “good” water quality can include up to 1,000 colony-forming units of E. coli per 100 milliliters and up to 400 colony-forming units of enterococci per 100 milliliters.
A sample taken early Monday at Port du Gros Caillou, which is on the marathon swimming course but is beyond the point where triathletes turned around Monday, showed a level of 436 units of enterococci, data released Tuesday show.
Organizers said they “remain confident” that the marathon swimming events will happen in the Seine as planned based on “a favorable weather forecast and forward-looking analysis.”
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who took a highly publicized swim in the Seine last month to allay fears about water quality ahead of the Olympics, echoed that confidence.
“We will of course wait to get the results of the water quality but the event will take place because there’s been a clear improvement of the weather these past few days,” she said. “So I’m really proud and happy and to all those who want to continue saying it’s impossible to depollute a river, I tell them, ‘Yes it’s possible, we did it.’”
With a few exceptions, swimming in the Seine has been prohibited since 1923 because the water has been too toxic. Paris undertook ambitious plan, including 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion) in infrastructure improvements to ensure that some swimming events could be held in the river. That 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.
Water quality in the Seine is closely linked to the weather. Heavy rains can cause wastewater and runoff to flow into the river, resulting in elevated bacteria levels, while warm temperatures and the sun’s ultraviolet rays can kill the germs and lower levels.
While the weather has mostly been hot and sunny during the Games, there have been several instances of drenching rains. Water quality concerns caused the cancelation of test swims in the Seine ahead of both the individual triathlon and triathlon mixed relay events and led to the postponement by a day of the men’s individual triathlon.
Four triathletes — of the more than 100 who competed in the men’s and women’s individual races last week — became sick in the following days, though it’s unclear whether the water was to blame.
Most strains of E. coli and enterococci are harmless, and some live in the intestines of healthy people and animals. But others are dangerous and even a mouthful of contaminated water can cause infections in the urinary tract or intestines. Several factors determine whether a person falls ill after exposure, chief among them a person’s age and general health.


Lewandowski treble for leaders Barca as Atletico held

Lewandowski treble for leaders Barca as Atletico held
Updated 07 October 2024
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Lewandowski treble for leaders Barca as Atletico held

Lewandowski treble for leaders Barca as Atletico held
  • Lewandowski reached 10 goals for the season in nine league games, stretching his lead as the division’s top goalscorer with a first-half treble

BARCELONA: Robert Lewandowski’s 26-minute hat-trick steered La Liga leaders Barcelona three points clear of Real Madrid with an emphatic 3-0 win at Alaves on Sunday.
Atletico Madrid’s bid to bounce back from a heavy Champions League defeat fell short as Real Sociedad rescued a 1-1 draw thanks to Luka Sucic’s brilliant late strike.
Lewandowski reached 10 goals for the season in nine league games, stretching his lead as the division’s top goalscorer with a first-half treble.
Champions Madrid beat Villarreal on Saturday to pull level with Barcelona but the Catalans strolled to a comfortable triumph at Alaves’ Mendizorroza stadium to continue a strong start to the campaign under new coach Hansi Flick.
“I get a lot of good passes and so it’s easier for me to score goals,” Lewandowski told DAZN.
“Today in the first half we played well from the first minute, we wanted to attack and score goals.
“If you score three goals in the first half then in the second you can play with everything under control.”
Barca secured their eighth victory in nine La Liga matches by taking control from the start.
Lewandowski and winger Raphinha, in superb form this season, were Barcelona’s key players in a match they largely dominated.
The Brazil international had a goal disallowed for offside before setting up Lewandowski for the opener with an inviting free-kick, which the striker headed home.
Raphinha burst down the left wing for Barcelona’s second, crossing for the veteran Polish forward to knock in.
Lewandowski completed his hat-trick with a clinical finish across Sivera after collecting Eric Garcia’s pass.
The 36-year-old hitman looks far sharper than last season and has 12 goals in 11 games across all competitions.
“In front of goal (Lewandowski) is the best player, for me,” Flick told reporters.
“It’s amazing to score so many goals over such a period... I’m really happy with him and you can see he’s 100 percent fit, it’s perfect at the moment.
“I’m happy for Lewy but also the other team-mates are really supporting him very (well).”
Alaves had goals from Toni Martinez and Santiago Mourino ruled out for offside as they battled well in the second half but Barca held firm.
Diego Simeone’s Atletico were thrashed 4-0 by Benfica on Wednesday but took a first-minute lead in San Sebastian against Real Sociedad.
Former Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez drilled home after Antoine Griezmann’s cute backheel into his path.
The Rojiblancos battled hard defensively to keep their advantage but Sucic looped a long-range effort over Jan Oblak in the 84th minute to secure the home side a point.
Atletico’s point took them third, level with Villarreal, but they trail leaders Barcelona by seven, while Real Sociedad are 15th.
“We scored the goal, the team worked well defensively, we didn’t allow a team that plays well (to create) much danger,” Simeone told DAZN.
“Look at their goal, a great strike, and that’s about it, I think a draw was fair.”
Sevilla shaded a derby clash against Real Betis 1-0 while Girona snatched a late 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao.
Dodi Lukebakio’s penalty was enough to pull Sevilla up to 12th, level on points with derby rivals Betis.
The winger converted from the spot in the 50th minute after a handball by Diego Llorente, who was furious with the decision.
“I just ask for respect, we work like mad every week and there are referees who lie to our faces,” said Llorente, who said the referee had claimed the defender’s arm was in a raised position.
Veteran Sevilla winger Jesus Navas, 38, played in his 28th and final Seville derby, becoming the player with the most appearances in the fixture — one more than Betis great Joaquin.
Earlier Girona snatched a late win over sixth-placed Athletic Bilbao in an entertaining clash.
Cristhian Stuani converted a late penalty to earn three points for last season’s surprise package, who are currently 11th after a difficult start this season.
Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga saved two penalties, denying Alex Berenguer and then Ander Herrera.


Celine Boutier clinches Aramco Team Series title with 19-under-par finish in China

Celine Boutier clinches Aramco Team Series title with 19-under-par finish in China
Updated 06 October 2024
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Celine Boutier clinches Aramco Team Series title with 19-under-par finish in China

Celine Boutier clinches Aramco Team Series title with 19-under-par finish in China
  • French golfer secures her first title of the year

LONDON: France’s Celine Boutier secured her first title of the year, delivering a 19-under-par performance to win the Aramco Team Series event at Mission Hills, China.

Boutier, who began the final day tied for the lead with home favorite Xiyu Lin, carded a bogey-free round for the second consecutive day to claim victory.

She said: “It was a great round. I definitely feel like we started really hot with (Lin), so it was fun to be able to battle it out. I’m very happy with my round (but) I wish a few putts had dropped. I was honestly super happy with how I handled today.”

Boutier acknowledged the intensity of the competition, adding: “It was close the whole day. One or two shots can swing pretty fast after one hole or two, so you definitely have to be on your toes until the end. I’m super happy with the way I played the last few holes.”

She also expressed her enthusiasm for China, saying: “I feel pretty good. I like China, so hopefully I can win some more tournaments here.”

Lin had a huge following while playing in front of her home crowd for the first time since winning bronze in Paris. (Supplied/Aramco Team Series)

Lin, playing in front of her home crowd for the first time since winning bronze in Paris, finished just two strokes behind Boutier at 17-under-par.

Despite the loss, Lin praised Boutier’s performance, saying: “Celine played unbelievably; a 7-under round and bogey-free is hard to beat, especially when my putter is not on. When I got to 18, I was two shots behind, so I knew I had a very slim chance.”

However, she remained optimistic, and added: “I had to give it 100 percent. I hit a good drive and probably one of the best 3-woods I made all week. It’s nice; I came up just short, but hearing the crowds cheering for me was pretty unbelievable.”

The battle for third place saw Shenzhen’s winning team captain, Chiara Tamburlini, and three-time winner Pauline Roussin-Bouchard finish tied, both recording the lowest rounds of the tournament at 65.

Roussin-Bouchard made a late charge with an eagle on the 16th hole, while Tamburlini fell just three strokes short of becoming the first player to win both the team and individual titles in the same event.

Noah Alireza, CEO of Golf Saudi, said: “What an incredible show of golf we experienced this weekend at the Aramco Team Series’ first visit to Shenzhen.

“On behalf of the Golf Saudi team, we extend a heartfelt congratulations to our exceptional winners, who continue to raise the standard of excellence in golf, inspiring players and fans worldwide.”


Ten Hag future up in the air after Manchester United draw at Villa

Ten Hag future up in the air after Manchester United draw at Villa
Updated 06 October 2024
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Ten Hag future up in the air after Manchester United draw at Villa

Ten Hag future up in the air after Manchester United draw at Villa
  • Lions mostly dominated, 4 days after beating Bayern Munich in the Champions League

LONDON: Manchester United’s winless run in all competitions extended to five games after a 0-0 draw at Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday, leaving manager Erik ten Hag’s position uncertain heading into a two-week international break.

Ten Hag arrived at Villa Park under huge pressure with United having lost three of its six league games and the club’s minority owner, Jim Ratcliffe, failing to say he had faith in the Dutch coach when asked specifically on Friday.

However creditable gaining a point at Villa is, it might still not be enough for Ten Hag — especially with United’s new leadership having two weeks to weigh up his future before the team’s next game. United is in 14th place in the 20-team league.

Playing in front of Ratcliffe and the rest of United’s hierarchy, the visitors came closest to scoring when Bruno Fernandes struck a free kick against the crossbar in the 68th.

Villa mostly dominated, four days after beating Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Since a chastening 3-0 loss to Tottenham last weekend, United has earned draws at Porto in the Europa League and now at a revitalized Villa.

Chelsea drew 1-1 with Nottingham Forest thanks to Noni Madueke’s equalizer in the 57th minute at Stamford Bridge.

Forest took the lead eight minutes earlier through Chris Wood and had to play with 10 men from the 78th after James Ward-Prowse’s sending-off after a second yellow card for diving on the ball with his hands to stop Nicolas Jackson launching a breakaway.

Elsewhere, in Italian football, Juventus were held to a surprise 1-1 home draw by Cagliari after a late penalty which led to the Turin giants conceding second place in Serie A to Inter Milan.

Razvan Marin lashed home the 88th-minute equalizer to give Cagliari a point at the Allianz Stadium after Roberto Piccoli was clumsily brought down by Douglas Luiz, who also gave a penalty away in Wednesday’s thrilling Champions League win at Leipzig.

Romania midfielder Marin’s arrowed penalty levelled Dusan Vlahovic’s 15th-minute spot-kick and moved Cagliari a point above the relegation zone.

It was the first goal conceded by Juve in Serie A this season and left Thiago Motta’s third-placed side three points behind league leaders Napoli after seven fixtures.

“We took our foot off the pedal after our goal, and we can’t do that. We need to keep attacking, and attack well,” said Motta.

“We created a few opportunities but there was always the feeling that Cagliari could get back into the game. What happened today is all our own fault.”

Cagliari could have even snatched a last-gasp win as Adam Obert thumped the post in the fifth minute of stoppage time, with Juve down to 10 men following Francisco Conceicao’s sending off almost immediately after Marin’s equalizer.

Conceicao picked up a second booking after trying to win Juve’s second penalty of the game in a frantic finish to a match which had largely been a drab affair before Luiz was penalized for his challenge following a VAR check.

“I’m pleased to get a point at Juve, it was hard because I had the whole stadium whistling me but I managed to keep my concentration,” said Marin.

Juventus, who were missing Nico Gonzalez, Arkadiusz Milik, Timothy Weah and Gleison Bremer, who suffered a serious knee injury at Leipzig, would have almost certainly had the full three points had Vlahovic not wasted a huge chance in the 78th minute.

Serbia striker Vlahovic, who is on five Serie A goals for the season, somehow shot wide on the rebound after Douglas Luiz’s shot was parried by Simone Scuffet.

His opener was controversial too as the penalty was awarded for Cagliari defender Sebastiano Luperto’s fingers grazing the ball as he engaged in an aerial tussle with Federico Gatti.

The spot-kick was given after a VAR check as Luperto’s arm was high in the air when he touched the ball, but he was landing from his jump and had Gatti leaning on his shoulder while two other players also battled for the ball.


Saudi national team train in Jeddah ahead of crucial World Cup qualifiers

Saudi national team train in Jeddah ahead of crucial World Cup qualifiers
Updated 06 October 2024
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Saudi national team train in Jeddah ahead of crucial World Cup qualifiers

Saudi national team train in Jeddah ahead of crucial World Cup qualifiers
  • Green Falcons gear up for matches against Japan, Bahrain

JEDDAH: The Saudi Arabian national football team were put through their paces at a training camp in Jeddah on Sunday in preparation for the upcoming third and fourth rounds of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Green Falcons are gearing up for two key matches, hosting Japan on Oct. 10 and Bahrain five days later. Both fixtures are taking place at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.

Head coach Roberto Mancini has called up 28 players for the games, with the squad featuring notable names such as Salem Al-Dawsari, Firas Al-Buraikan, and Saud Abdulhamid.

Saudi Arabia are in Group C in the third phase of the Asian qualifiers, and face strong competition from Japan, Australia, Bahrain, China and Indonesia as they aim to secure a place at the World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico in two years’ time.


Pakistan’s Masood warns England still a force without Stokes

Pakistan’s Masood warns England still a force without Stokes
Updated 06 October 2024
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Pakistan’s Masood warns England still a force without Stokes

Pakistan’s Masood warns England still a force without Stokes
  • Ollie Pope will again lead England after deputising successfully in the recent 2-1 series win over Sri Lanka
  • Stokes led England to 3-0 Test win on England’s last tour in 2022, the first time Pakistan were swept at home

MULTAN: Pakistan captain Shan Masood warned on the eve of Monday’s first Test in Multan that his side would still be facing a formidable England, despite the absence of their captain Ben Stokes.

Ollie Pope will again lead England after deputising successfully in the recent 2-1 series win over Sri Lanka as Stokes, 33, was ruled out as he recovers from a hamstring injury.

“We all know the quality of Ben Stokes,” said Masood on Sunday ahead of the start of the three-Test series. “He is one of the top all-rounders of the world.”

“England’s strength will not lessen with one individual (missing),” he warned. “They are still very competitive.

“If you look at their playing eleven then it’s very balanced with all-rounders, and they have two spinners and three fast bowlers with deep batting, so their loss is that of an individual.”

Stokes led England to an emphatic 3-0 Test series victory on England’s last tour in 2022, the first time Pakistan had been swept at home.

England return with Pakistan on a painful losing streak — winless in their last 10 home Tests and suffering a humiliating 2-0 home defeat to Bangladesh last month.

“They’ve obviously not had their strongest run recently, but we still see them as a highly skilled side,” said Pope. “They are a team we don’t take lightly.”

Pakistan named their team with a bowling attack of two fast bowlers in Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, medium-pacer Aamer Jamal and frontline spinner Abrar Ahmed.

An impressive Jamal took 18 wickets against Australia in three Tests in his debut series earlier this year, but missed the Bangladesh series with a back problem. He also contributed 143 runs.

“With Jamal we get an edge in the seam department,” said Masood.

With James Anderson and Stuart Broad retired, Mark Wood injured and Ollie Robinson not selected, none of England’s pace bowlers from the 2022 series remain.

But Masood cited Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse as threats.

“You cannot under-estimate anyone and need to be more cautious against any unknown player,” said Masood.

The second match is also in Multan, from October 15, with the final Test in Rawalpindi beginning October 24.

Squads

Pakistan: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel, Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmad

England: Ollie Pope (captain), Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jack Leach, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes