French Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra took a symbolic swim in the Seine River on July 13, 2024, just 13 days before the start of the Paris Olympics. Accompanied by Paralympic triathlete Alexis Hanquinquant, she swam near the Alexandre III bridge and the Invalides complex, close to where the Olympic open water swimming and triathlon events will take place.The event was organized to demonstrate the river’s improved water quality following extensive cleanup efforts. Oudéa-Castéra, wearing a wetsuit, declared after her swim, ‘We held our promise. It’s fabulous. Total happiness’. This act fulfills a pledge made earlier to swim in the Seine before the Games begin on July 26.The city of Paris announced on July 12 that the current water quality of the Seine meets the standards for holding Olympic competitions. According to the city’s analysis, the water quality has been satisfactory for six out of the last seven days, with over 80% of water samples conforming to the limits.Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo plans to follow suit with a swim in the Seine on July 17, pending water quality permits. French President Emmanuel Macron has also expressed his intention to take a dip in the Seine before the start of the Games, although he has not specified a date.The Seine has been closed to swimming since 1923 due to pollution levels. The recent efforts to clean up the river are part of a larger initiative to make the 2024 Paris Olympics the most sustainable in history.However, challenges remain. Recent heavy rainfall has raised pollution levels, and there have been several delays in the rehearsal of the opening ceremony’s parade along the Seine, scheduled for July 26, due to poor water quality and high river flow.Despite these challenges, the Sports Minister’s swim serves as a powerful symbol of the progress made and the commitment to hosting a successful and environmentally conscious Olympic Games.
Key points
- French Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra swam in the Seine River 13 days before the Paris Olympics.
- The swim demonstrates improved water quality following extensive cleanup efforts.
- Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo plans to swim on July 17, while President Emmanuel Macron has also pledged to take a dip.
- Challenges remain due to recent heavy rainfall and high river flow.
Contradictions👾While most sources report the swim as successful, one source mentioned that Oudéa-Castéra initially slipped on the riverbank, which was not mentioned in other reports.
