Lee Wins Bronze, Water Quality Concerns Disrupt World Aquatics Championships

Kyle Lee secured Australia's first medal at the World Aquatics Championships, taking bronze in the men's 10km marathon swim. The race was the first final to be contested at the championships in Singapore.

The women's 10km event was initially postponed from Tuesday to Wednesday due to concerns about water quality. The open-water events were further delayed from Wednesday morning to the afternoon at Palawan Beach on Sentosa Island, also because of the water conditions.

Organizers reported that water samples taken on Tuesday afternoon showed a "significant improvement," allowing the competition to proceed on Wednesday. Lee finished behind Florian Wellbrock of Germany, who took gold. Lee edged out Italian Gregorio Paltrinieri, finishing 3.70 seconds ahead of him. He also beat another German, Oliver Klemet, by a mere 0.1 seconds to secure his podium finish.

Nicolas Sloman, another competitor who will be in Paris, finished eighth. Wellbrock previously won the 10km event at the Tokyo Olympics. Moesha Johnson, who earned silver in the 10km at last year's Olympics, and Chelsea Gubecka are the Australian competitors in the women's race.

Additional open-water races are scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Water quality was a significant concern at last year's Olympics, where the triathlon and marathon swimming events were held in the River Seine. Heavy rainfall led to the postponement of the men's individual triathlon by one day, although all other events proceeded as planned. Johnson will also participate in the 800m and 1500m freestyle events in the pool at the championships.