Triathlon Mixed Relay Swim Training Session Canceled over Seine Water Quality

 Athletes compete in the swimming stage in the Seine during the men's individual triathlon at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in central Paris on July 31, 2024. (AFP)
Athletes compete in the swimming stage in the Seine during the men's individual triathlon at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in central Paris on July 31, 2024. (AFP)
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Triathlon Mixed Relay Swim Training Session Canceled over Seine Water Quality

 Athletes compete in the swimming stage in the Seine during the men's individual triathlon at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in central Paris on July 31, 2024. (AFP)
Athletes compete in the swimming stage in the Seine during the men's individual triathlon at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in central Paris on July 31, 2024. (AFP)

Paris Olympics organizers have canceled Sunday's swimming training session for the triathlon mixed relay event after recent heavy rain affected water quality levels in the Seine river.

The decision was made late on Saturday after tests showed water quality did not meet the required threshold following rain on July 31 and Aug. 1.

The mixed relay race is scheduled for Monday.

"We are expecting an improvement on the conditions in the next hours, but not to a level to which the swim familiarization planned for tomorrow can take place," organizers said in a statement.

"In view of these conditions, we have decided to cancel the swim familiarization tonight to avoid late communication to athletes."

Pollution in the Seine after heavy rains had caused the men's race to be postponed for a day, after swimming practice sessions were canceled two days in a row.



Bayern Munich Wants to Keep Forward Mathys Tel Despite Reports Linking Him with Chelsea

Mathys Tel. (AFP)
Mathys Tel. (AFP)
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Bayern Munich Wants to Keep Forward Mathys Tel Despite Reports Linking Him with Chelsea

Mathys Tel. (AFP)
Mathys Tel. (AFP)

Bayern Munich's sporting director Christoph Freund says the German club is planning to keep Mathys Tel, after several media reports linked the French forward with a move to Chelsea.

Freund said Tuesday that the 19-year-old Tel was a “very important player” for Bayern and that the club wants to follow a plan for his development.

“We have a very good dialogue because he’s a big talent who should take on an important role for us. We’ve had a lot of conversations. Our clear aim is that Mathys will make the breakthrough with us,” Freund said. “Obviously we’ll listen if a player isn’t happy, then we’ll talk about it. We want to see through our plan with Mathys.”

Freund's comments followed reports in British and German media that Chelsea was interested in signing Tel, with some claiming a swap deal could see out-of-form Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku head to Bayern.

Tel became Bayern's youngest-ever goalscorer when he netted in a cup game in August 2022 at the age of 17 years, 126 days, breaking a record held by teammate Jamal Musiala. He had joined Bayern earlier that year from French club Rennes.

Tel netted 10 goals in all competitions last season but has yet to score in this campaign. He has played 12 games under coach Vincent Kompany in all competitions but started only two of them, with his last start coming in a Bundesliga game Sept. 1.

Bayern next plays Wednesday at home against Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga. Kompany signaled Tuesday that attacking midfielder Musiala could return after missing Saturday's 1-0 win over Borussia Moenchengladbach with an illness.