Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo took a symbolic swim in the Seine on Wednesday morning to demonstrate that the river is now clean enough for the upcoming 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This action underscores France’s significant investment of €1.4 billion ($1.5 billion) to clean the river, addressing long-standing pollution concerns. The aim is not only to ensure the river is safe for Olympic events but also to make it swimmable for residents post-Games.
The clean-up is a historic endeavor, ending a century-old swimming ban in the Seine, and has garnered global attention. The effort mirrors challenges faced by other major cities like London and Sydney in managing and utilizing their waterways.
For the Olympics, 110 triathletes will swim 1.5 kilometers in the Seine, starting from a pontoon at the base of Pont Alexandre III, followed by biking and running through iconic Parisian landmarks. Marathon swimmers will also compete from the same location about a week later.
Despite the city’s enthusiasm, concerns remain about the river’s cleanliness, especially after rainy periods that can cause sewage overflows. Additionally, recent data shows the Seine’s water flow is currently much higher than usual, posing a safety risk for swimmers. Authorities have a contingency plan for marathon swimmers if the situation does not improve.
Several swimming clubs gathered to support Hidalgo’s swim, expressing excitement about the prospect of swimming in the Seine. This initiative is part of broader efforts to adapt Paris to climate change and enhance urban environmental quality.
