TOKYO -- High levels of bacteria forced the swimming portion of a triathlon test event for the Tokyo Paralympics to be canceled Saturday.
It's the second setback in the triathlon for organizers of next year's Olympic and Paralympics. A triathlon running event was shortened from 10 kilometers to 5 kilometers Thursday because of what the International Triathlon Union called "extreme levels" of heat.
Tokyo's hot and humid summers are a worry for Olympic organizers. The water issues are a reminder of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics three years ago when high bacteria and virus levels were found in waters for sailing, rowing and open-water swimming.
In a statement, the ITU said E-Coli levels were "more than two times over the ITU limits." The ITU said the water was at Level 4, the highest risk level.