4:43pm Tuesday 7th September 2010
By Andy Edgeworth
THE 2010 British Gas Great North Swim on Windermere has now been cancelled due to the presence of blue-green algae.
The race - which was due to take place last weekend - was originally postponed on Friday after the toxic algae was found to be in the water.
However, race organisers today announced that the race will not take place at all, despite their attempts to rearrange it, after assurances about the quality of the water at the Lake District venue could not be secured.
David Hart, Communications Director of Great Swim, said, “We are profoundly disappointed not to be able to stage the Great North Swim this year but the welfare of competitors is paramount.
"We sought assurances that the water quality would be acceptable for us to stage the event this weekend, but having not received this and with toxic algae warning signs around the lake today it would be entirely irresponsible for us to go ahead.
“Nearly 9,000 people had been training to take part in what would have been Britain’s biggest ever open water swimming event and we know they will share our disappointment.
"However, the welfare of participants is always our number one concern and we had no alternative but to cancel.”
All entrants have been offered a full refund of entry fee or deferment of entry until 2011, details of which can be found at www.greatswim.org
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