PARIS, Sept 1, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - The stars of the Paralympic sprint world 
enter the fray at the Paris Games on Sunday but organisers were forced to 
delay the triathlon events by 24 hours due to concerns about the water 
quality of the River Seine after heavy rain.

The 11 triathlon races were to take place early Sunday but after heavy rain 
on Saturday which can stir up pollution in the Seine, organisers and 
governing body World Triathlon decided to postpone by a day.

"The latest analysis shows a deterioration in the water quality of the Seine 
following heavy rainfall over the past two days," the organisers said.

"It was decided to schedule the 11 medal sessions of the Para triathlon on 
September 2," they added.

The triathlon was originally scheduled to take place over two days -- 
September 1 and 2.

The issue also caused disruption to the Olympics triathlon and open-water 
swimming events earlier this summer, with several practice sessions being 
cancelled due to high levels of pollution caused by heavy rainfall.

Of 11 days of events and training scheduled in the river during the Olympics, 
only five got the green light.

Despite a 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion) upgrade to improve the Paris 
sewerage and water treatment system, the Seine has been dogged by pollution 
concerns, notably for its levels of enterococci and E.coli bacteria.

- Amputee speed merchants -

The scene was set at the Stade de France for the entry into the competition 
of the amputee sprinters later Sunday.

The heats of the T64 100m event features arguably the deepest field in any 
event on the Paralympics track and field programme.

Reigning champion Felix Streng of Germany has a fight to defend his title in 
the face of the challenge from two-time champion Jonnie Peacock of Great 
Britain and US athlete Hunter Woodhall.

Woodhall, 25, is one half of an Olympic-Paralympic super couple with his wife 
Tara Davis-Woodhall, who was crowned Olympic women's long jump champion in 
the same stadium just weeks ago.

Peacock though says at 31 he has the major championship experience and is 
approaching a return to full form after a low-key two years, although he did 
win bronze in Tokyo three years ago.

"I know people in that race who consistently run fast times outside the 
championships but I am the person who every time turns up at championships 
and runs faster times in them," Peacock said before the Games.

"Provided I do not make too many mistakes, touch wood, I know I can do that 
again but the question is how many of the guys can as well."

The blind football competition kicked off at the foot of the Eiffel Tower 
with the players guided by a rattle in the ball.

Colombia beat Japan 1-0 in the opening match of the men's tournament before 
Morocco and Argentina drew 0-0.

Brazil, who have not lost a single match since the event was introduced in 
2004, face Turkey later Sunday.

China added more golds in early action to move to 24 golds at the top of the 
medals table, but a rush of medals in the velodrome, including from James 
Ball in the men's B 1000m time trial, kept Great Britain in touch in second 
place on 16 golds at the midway point on Sunday.