The men's triathlon at the Paris Olympics will not go ahead as planned on Tuesday as pollution levels in the Seine remain too high, World Triathlon said in a statement, dealing a blow to organizers and leaving athletes facing more uncertainty. 

The race was postponed to Wednesday at 10:45 a.m. (0845 GMT), immediately after the women's event, which is scheduled for 8 a.m. that day.

Organizers previously said they were confident water quality would improve in time for the race after heavy rains last Friday and Saturday dirtied the river. 

The organizers admitted stating, “Paris 2024 and World Triathlon reiterate that their priority is the health of the athletes.”

Should levels of bacteria remain too high by Wednesday morning both the men's and women's races are likely to be postponed to Friday, the contingency day reserved for the events.