Swim To Fight Cancer in Haarlem has been cancelled. On Sunday, about 625 participants would participate in the benefit campaign, but the water quality in the Spaarne is too bad to swim in. “Our greatest fears have become reality”, organizer Dick Kol told NH Nieuws. Some of the festivities surrounding the event will still take place on land.
Many bacteria have been found in the Spaarne and the canals, including blue-green algae. “It is very irresponsible to swim in. There is an explosion of blue-green algae,” says Kol.
According to the organization, all scenarios have been reviewed, but no suitable alternative has emerged. That sucks for the participants who have been training hard. “The swimmers deserve a good SWIM, that’s why we’re moving it to next year,” says Kol.
The festivities on land will continue from 2 to 4 p.m. There will be music and the amount raised will also be announced, which was collected by 92 teams. All participants will still receive a medal. “And next year a big resit”, says the organizer hopefully.