Four days of test events: the countdown to the Games begins

Launched last Wednesday, the test event for the Triathlon and Para Triathlon events of the Paris 2024 Games came to a close this Sunday, with the spectacular mixed relay being won by Germany, who edged out Great Britain, Belgium and France.

Although this last competition - like yesterday's Para triathlon events - was run as a Duathlon (running - cycling - running) due to discrepancies in the results of the Seine water quality analysis, the overall event test was positive.

The courses, set against some of Paris's finest landmarks - including the Alexandre III Bridge, the Grand Palais, Les Invalides and the Champs-Élysées… - were unanimously acclaimed by triathletes and para-triathletes alike for their iconic, spectacular and selective dimensions. The excitement was palpable as all events unfolded before a large, enthusiastic crowd along the courses, captivated by the suspense of the competitions that assembled the world's elite, all vying for benchmarks in anticipation of the Paris 2024 Games (the Games course will be identical).

The organization of this test event also marked the return of swimming in the Seine, a first since the 2012 Paris Triathlon. Although the last two days of competition did not allow the swimming events to take place (as a precautionary measure and to ensure the good health of the triathletes and para-triathletes), the continuation of wastewater connection work and the delivery of new infrastructure for rainwater treatment, between now and the Paris 2024 Games, will further significantly improve water quality and, ultimately, ensure the smooth organization of the events.

Like the Austerlitz basin, an immense cylinder, 50m in diameter and over 30m deep, which will be able to store over 50,000m3 of water - the equivalent of twenty Olympic-sized swimming pools. This basin will make it easier to cope with exceptional weather events, by preventing wastewater from being discharged into the Seine in the event of heavy rainfall.

These new facilities, together with the contingency days that will offer greater latitude for the organization of competitions during the Games (the Games program provides for the postponement of certain weather-related competitions to offer athletes the best possible conditions), mean that the triathlon and para-triathlon events at Paris 2024 will be held under the best possible auspices.

In addition to the sporting dimension of the event, many operational and technical aspects were successfully tested during the event, such as the installation of the temporary pontoon on the Seine, the mobilization and training of volunteers, the entry of athletes onto the field of play, and security and transport operations.

The test also demonstrated the excellent collaboration between the main stakeholders, notably World Triathlon (the International Triathlon Federation), the Prefecture of the Île-de-France region, the Prefecture of Paris, the Prefecture of Police, the City of Paris and Paris 2024.

The geographical proximity and simultaneity of the Archery World Cup event, organized by the French Archery Federation (FFTA), also made it possible to work on the co-activity between the two sites, and in particular on the management of spectator flows and general coordination with the authorities.

A few hundred meters away, the finals of the Paris leg of the Archery World Cup took place on the Esplanade des Invalides.

The best archers in the Olympic category had the privilege of shooting and getting their bearings on the future site of the Games, against the backdrop of the majestic Dôme des Invalides.

The event, which ended with a fine 2nd place for France's Lisa Barbelin, enabled Paris 2024 to successfully test certain specific aspects of the organization in the areas of sports, logistics and transport, as well as security.

In particular, it enabled us to analyze and observe the impact of the wind on the competition and training fields, the flow and movement of athletes between the training and competition fields, site assembly and dismantling operations, and site accessibility for all athletes (Olympic and Paralympic).

After the triathlon test event, it's archery's turn! On Sunday August 20, the archery World Cup final was held at Les Invalides, the future Olympic venue. It was a sold-out day, and saw the coronation of young Lisa Barbelin, silver medallist in the classical bow. Read our report

Thursday August 17 marked the start of the triathlon test event with the women's individual race. A real popular success for this race in the heart of Paris for the world's 65 best triathletes. Read our report