Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo recently made a splash by swimming in the Seine to prove that the river is clean enough to host outdoor swimming events at the upcoming Paris Olympics. Joining her were senior local officials and Tony Estanguet, a triple Olympic gold medallist in canoeing. The gesture aimed to showcase the city’s readiness to organize the games in the Seine and assure the public that the water quality is suitable for competitions.
Despite a substantial investment to prevent sewage leaks, concerns about the Seine’s condition persisted leading up to the Paris Games. However, recent tests have shown the river to be suitable for open-water swimming and triathlon events. This demonstration of water quality improvement was an essential step in preparing for the key role the Seine will play during the Olympics, according to Hidalgo’s office.
Originally scheduled to swim earlier, Hidalgo faced delays due to high levels of bacteria indicating faecal matter in the water, prompting jokes and memes on social media. A short-lived protest group had even encouraged people to dump waste in the river as an act of defiance against the Mayor. Notably, President Macron, who had planned to join the Seine bathers, was unable to participate due to pressing political issues.
The Seine is slated for use in the swimming leg of the Olympics triathlon and open-water swimming events. The choice of locations for these events has sparked concerns previously at other Olympic Games. Nonetheless, efforts to improve water quality in the Seine have been ongoing, with clean-water campaign groups conducting regular tests to ensure swimmable conditions.
Cleaning up the Seine is a highlighted legacy achievement of Paris 2024, aiming to create three public bathing areas for residents next year. The initiative primarily focuses on environmental reasons, aiming to serve as an accelerator for better water management practices in the city. Despite investments in water treatment and infrastructure, challenges still remain, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall which can lead to untreated effluent discharges into the Seine.
While progress has been made in improving the Seine’s water quality, ongoing efforts are essential to maintain swimmable conditions and ensure the success of the Paris Olympic events. Cleaning up the Seine serves as a significant step forward in environmental conservation and highlights the commitment to sustainable practices in preparing the city for hosting international sporting events like the Olympics. The participation of city leaders like Mayor Hidalgo helps to build public trust and promote the importance of achieving cleaner waterways for the well-being of residents and visitors alike.
