vietexplorer0047

Fifty-five triathletes are set to plunge into the Seine on Tuesday, marking a historic moment for the Olympics. At 8 a.m. (0600 GMT), the athletes will dive into the river from a floating pontoon next to the Pont Alexandre III, eager to make a splash in more ways than one. This is the first time since 1900 that the Olympics has seen competitors racing in the river. The women’s individual race is all set for Wednesday at the same early morning time of 8 a.m., with athletes raring to go. Organizers have wisely kept Aug. 2 as a backup day for the individual races and Aug. 6 for the mixed relay, just in case the water quality doesn’t improve in time. It’s a sensible precaution to ensure the smooth running of the events. “Team Bermuda coach Dan Hugo, husband of Tokyo gold medalist Flora Duffy, expressed confidence in the organizers’ plans, saying, “They still seem really hopeful for men tomorrow and women Wednesday. But if needed, one or both will get moved to Friday.” The Alexa...