POOR water quality in the Seine caused swimming training for the Paris Olympics triathlon to be cancelled today — but organisers remain confident the races will be able to go ahead as scheduled.

Triathletes were due to hold a familiarisation session in the river at 8am but organisers had warned on Saturday that it could be at risk and the decision was taken not to allow them into the water.

Heavy rain can raise the levels of harmful E Coli bacteria, and the deluge that marred the opening ceremony on Friday has had an effect.