Sorry is the hardest word for Paris Olympics organisers once again as exaggerated excuses of rainfall are used to postpone triathlon events – with the River Seine STILL not safe to swim in, writes MIKE KEEGAN

The reasoning stunk almost as much as the scandal itself. “The equivalent of July’s rainfall fell in just 36 hours,” Paris 2024 official Anne Descamps told reporters when asked why triathlon events in the Seine River were being postponed again.

“Twenty-five millimeters,” she added, “and that’s a lot.” It’s a lot, but it’s not the equivalent of a month in the French capital.

According to the Met Office, Paris rains 73mm in July, after December – and almost three times as much as the quoted figure. Paris rains more in July than London.

That’s one of the key points. They may blame it on the weather, but how on earth did the organizers not see this coming? The men’s triathlon, which was canceled on Tuesday morning, will now take place after the women’s triathlon on Wednesday, should the E.Coli presence in the famous river finally drop to acceptable levels.

Those involved in this sad event continue to say that the downpours that affected Friday’s opening ceremony and disrupted Saturday’s are the cause of the repeated cancellations, which have seen both training days cancelled and the men’s event postponed for 24 hours.

According to the Met Office, 73mm of snow fell in Paris in July, the highest amount after December and almost three times higher than the stated figure.

Rain during Friday and Saturday’s opening ceremony has caused repeated cancellations

Unsafe levels of E.Coli in the River Seine have forced the triathlon to be cancelled

If it does happen, it will mean thousands of people who paid for tickets, flights and hotels to see the world’s best men will be unable to attend because they can’t leave the galleries in time after their female counterparts have finished. Families and friends of athletes will also have to fight for seats.

And then there’s the weather. With the men’s race not starting until 10:45 in the morning, there are concerns that when they put on their running shoes around noon after swimming 1,500 metres and cycling 40 kilometres, temperatures will be around 30 degrees.

Organizers say extra water stations have been installed in case the heat becomes a problem. Storms are also forecast and the prospect of further rain means a backup date of Friday may be necessary.

They may even abandon the Seine altogether, despite the £1 billion invested in cleaning it up. They will scrap the swimming event and turn it into a duathlon, which will drive out competitors for whom swimming is their strongest discipline.

“Everyone has the same complaints,” World Triathlon President Marisol Cusado helpfully replied when asked.

During a press conference in the media center, attendees were also asked whether they considered aesthetics more important than athletes by choosing a river where swimming has not been allowed for 100 years.

Aurelie Merle, executive director of sport for Paris 2024, again pointed to Mother Nature.

Thousands of people who paid for tickets, flights and hotels to see the world’s best men will no longer be able to attend the event

Aurelie Merle, executive director of sport for Paris 2024, once again pointed the finger at Mother Nature

“Unfortunately, as I said, there are meteorological events that are beyond our control,” she said, describing the rainfall as “huge” and adding: “We have no control over the weather.”

Apart from questionable statistics and complaints about the weather, there was again no apology. Mail Sport asked for it two days in a row. Two days in a row, no apology.

This time, the IOC’s sporting director, Kit McConnell, a former Rugby World Cup tournament director, said he would “pass the game to Paris”.

Merle did say they were “very sympathetic,” but again, sorry seemed the hardest word.