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DC Cancels Swim Portion of 9/11 Triathlon Because The Potomac River Is Too Gross

(REUTERS/Gary Cameron)

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Steve Birr Vice Reporter
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The Potomac River’s terrible water quality forced officials to cancel the swimming portion of Washington, D.C.’s, annual 9/11 triathlon Sunday.

The Events D.C. Nation’s Triathlon will instead be reduced to a bike and running event due to unsafe levels of E.Coli in the river. The D.C. Department of Energy and Environment notified Event’s D.C. that the conditions of the river are not currently safe enough for full-body contact with the water. Organizers with Event’s D.C. said they are disappointed with the change but must prioritize participant safety, WUSA9 reported.

The swim practice Sunday morning is also canceled, but organizers said the schedule will remain the same for the rest of the event.

“Athlete safety is and will continue to be our top priority,” Event’s D.C. wrote on its website. “Thank you for your support, flexibility, and patience as we strive to provide the safest and best race experience possible.”

The triathlon begins at 7 a.m. Sunday and will included an added running route to replace the swimming potion. Participants will start with a run, transition to bikes and finish with another run. The event timeline remains unchanged and the award ceremony will take place at 11 a.m.

Despite the change, there is no refund available to participants.

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