There was fresh humiliation for Games’ organisers last night after sweltering fans and athletes blasted the lack of cold water as concerns about E.coli in the River Siene led to the men’s triathlon being postponed.
Long queues for refreshments could be seen at venues across the French capital with several spectators needing medical treatment as temperatures reached 37 degrees (100F).
At Roland Garros, huge queues formed at all food and drink stalls and at water fountains, with some waiting more than 30 minutes in the sun to fill their water bottles.
Shops had sold out of hand fans while spectators battled to find shady areas to sit and shelter from the sun.
British tennis player Jack Draper, 22, complained about having to drink warm water during his match yesterday.
Paris 2024 Olympics – Equestrian – Dressage Individual Grand Prix Day 1 – Chateau de Versailles, Versailles, France – July 30, 2024. Spectators fill their bottles at a water station
There was fresh humiliation for Games’ organisers last night after sweltering fans and athletes blasted the lack of cold water as concerns. (Pictured) Thorbjorn Olesen, of Denmark, drinks water as he walks to the 14th tee during a practice round for the men’s golf event at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 30
Paris 2024 Olympics – Skateboarding – Men’s Street Prelims – La Concorde 3, Paris, France – July 29, 2024. Spectators queue at a water station during the heats
The heat rule was in place for players, which permits a 10-minute break before a deciding set in singles games – giving them chance to change or have a shower – while water was sprayed on to the court.
But Draper – who was seen dunking his head in a freezer at one point during his match – appeared to wilt in the heat during his second round game and said it was ‘pretty poor’ players had to fetch their own water after his second round loss to American Taylor Fritz.
In a bid to be more environmentally friendly, tennis players are now supplied with refillable bottles, but Draper found himself unable to keep his water cool.
One fan said on Twitter yesterday: ‘Dreadful at Roland Garros. Massive queues for food and ran out of food by 1pm. Plus no alcohol. Treating spectators like dirt.’
Britons Brendan O’Hagan and Philip Bickerstaff, 69, who travelled from Lytham St Annes in Lancashire to watch the tennis at Roland Garros were queuing for more than 30 minutes for a drink yesterday.
Mr O’Hagan, a retired HR manager said: ‘It’s a bit of a shambles really. There is just one guy serving this whole queue – they don’t seem to have enough staff. And there’s no beer.’
One fan said on Twitter: ‘Dreadful at Roland Garros. Massive queues for food and ran out of food by 1pm. Plus no alcohol. Treating spectators like dirt’
A boat travels down the River Seine on a hot day during the Paris 2024 Olympics. In the early hours of Sunday morning, a pre-race triathlon event due to take place in the Seine was cancelled due to water quality concerns
A general view of action between Ana Patricia Silva Ramos and Eduarda Santos Lisboa of Team Brazil and Liliana Fernandez Steiner and Paula Soria Gutierre of Team Spain compete during the Women’s Preliminary Phase – Pool A match on day four of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Eiffel Tower Stadium on July 30, 2024 in Paris, France
Paris 2024 Olympics – Football – Men’s Group C – Dominican Rep. vs Uzbekistan – Parc des Princes, Paris, France – July 30, 2024. Luiyi de Lucas of Dominican Republic pours water on his head during a drinks break
Infrastructure on the venue of the swimming portion of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games triathlon, next to the Alexandre III bridge, on July 30, 2024. The Paris Olympics men’s triathlon was postponed just hours before it was due to get under way on July 30 after water quality tests on the River Seine revealed it was still too dirty for swimming, organisers said
It came after yesterday’s triathlon was called off at the last minute – leaving athletes ‘very unhappy’.
Paris 2024 officials have repeatedly insisted the water quality would be all right on the day, but pre-dawn tests showed effluence made it unfit for humans. The famous waterway appeared green and murky.
It is a disaster for France’s £1billion project to clean up the Seine, blamed on torrential rain over the weekend.
Those left disappointed included British athlete Alex Yee, one of the favourites to win individual gold.
Triathlon commentator Annie Emmerson speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live from the banks of the Seine: ‘There are a lot of very unhappy athletes, very disappointed with the decision that has been made. It is the right decision, of course. The athletes cannot swim here.
Spectators fill their water bottles at Eiffel Tower Stadium on day four of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at on July 30, 2024 in Paris, France
Morocco’s Mohammed Abicha, left, and Zouheir Elgraoui take a water break during excessive heat during a beach volleyball match against the United States at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Paris, France
Spectators cool off under water misters at Eiffel Tower Stadium on day four of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at on July 30, 2024 in Paris, France
A staff member sprays water on spectators during the women’s pool E beach volleyball match between Brazil and Lithuania at Eiffel Tower Stadium at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Paris, France
Paris 2024 Olympics – Football – Men’s Group D – Paraguay vs Mali – Parc des Princes, Paris, France – July 30, 2024. Fans cool off around a water fountain outside the stadium before the match
Paris 2024 Olympics – Football – Men’s Group D – Paraguay vs Mali – Parc des Princes, Paris, France – July 30, 2024. Fans cool off around a water fountain outside the stadium before the match
: A fan pours water on himself due to high temperature during the Men’s Kayak Single Heats 1st Run on day four of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Vaires-Sur-Marne Nautical Stadium on July 30, 2024 in Paris, France
People refresh at a public water mist shower in the center of Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. Temperatures went up to 34 degrees Celsius
‘There should have been an absolutely amazing atmosphere. Lots of people have come out because they don’t realise the triathlon has been postponed. The water doesn’t look great and there is also a really strong current as well.’
There will be further tests today(Wednesday), when it is hoped that both the men’s and women’s event can go ahead.
Meanwhile the surfing was also postponed – because of rough seas in the paradise islands of French Polynesia in the Pacific 9,700 miles away.
Last week, France suffered a humiliating firebomb attack followed by torrential rain during the opening ceremony.
