Paralympics in Paris: Triathlon star Schulz: “I hope everything goes fairly”

Martin Schulz is looking upwards – at least until Sunday. However, the triathlon star and German Paralympics flag bearer still has to worry about whether his competition can really begin in the Seine in Paris. If there is a lot of precipitation by the day of the competition – as announced by the French weather service Météo France – the vexed issue of water quality is likely to move back to the top of the agenda.

There was already a lot of discussion about the Olympic Games just under a month ago. Rain generally makes a river dirtier. 1.4 billion euros were invested in sewage treatment plants and the sewage system so that the swimming could take place in the heart of Paris.

“Of course it’s not the best water,” Schulz told the German Press Agency. “But personally I’m not that sensitive and I assume that the others would also like to swim in the Seine before we have to hold a duathlon.” There is no alternative location. The only option would be to move the competitions to September 2 or 3.

All decisions are made on one day

“The decision on holding the competitions will be made after analyzing the latest weather forecast and the results of the water quality in the hours before the competitions,” said a spokesman for the organizing committee, which has already decided that all eleven medal decisions in the triathlon should be made on Sunday. Originally, the different classifications were to be spread over two days. “As of today, the water quality of the Seine is excellent and the current is within acceptable values,” the spokesman added on Friday.

Schulz, who has been missing his left forearm since birth, doesn’t want to worry too much about these factors. However, the two-time gold medalist sees the current as another challenge. He had already warned that it would be impossible for many para-athletes to swim upstream.

Tears on the Champs-Élysées

Schulz himself feels prepared. “Looking at my race, it could mean that the strong swimmers might be able to pull ahead a little,” said the 34-year-old, for whom the games in Paris are already something special.

At the opening ceremony, he was allowed to carry the German flag together with wheelchair basketball player Edina Müller. “It was very touching. When we walked down the Champs-Élysées, I had a few tears in my eyes. Even on the Place de la Concorde, I had goosebumps and I’m just happy that I was allowed to lead the German team,” he said.

He received praise from the team, which had also chosen him and Müller as the German flag bearers. “Of course they are a great duo. I was happy for them from the bottom of my heart,” said para table tennis player Valentin Baus. “I think it is an experience that you will never forget as an athlete.”

Two sports, four participations

Schulz could round off his fourth Games – in 2012 he took part in swimming in London – by defending his title again. The athlete from SC DHfK Leipzig could not have imagined a better backdrop. “I think the course is incredibly cool, right in the city center with the Eiffel Tower and the Champs-Élysées – that’s what many athletes would like,” he said. “There will be thousands of spectators along the course. That makes the sports heart beat faster.”

Of course, swimming in a river creates a certain degree of unpredictability. “But I don’t see that as a critical issue,” said Schulz. For him, the most important thing is that he and his competitors are allowed to jump into the Seine at all, after all, it was already raining in the French capital on Friday. “I hope that no one is disadvantaged and that everything goes fairly,” he said.