Paris Mayor’s Seine Swim Marks Olympic Milestone, but Concerns Linger

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo took a historic plunge into the Seine River on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, fulfilling a long-standing promise and marking a significant milestone in the city’s preparations for the 2024 Olympic Games. Accompanied by Tony Estanguet, president of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games organizing committee, and Marc Guillaume, prefect of Île-de-France, Hidalgo’s swim aimed to showcase the improved water quality of the Seine.This symbolic act comes just nine days before the start of the Paris Olympics, where the Seine is set to play a starring role in several events, including open water swimming, triathlon, and paratriathlon. The swim represents the culmination of a massive €1.4 billion investment since 2016 to improve the Seine’s water quality and ecological state.Despite the optimism surrounding the event, concerns persist about the river’s suitability for Olympic competition. Recent laboratory tests have raised questions about water quality, and some trainers and athletes remain skeptical. German swimming coach Bernd Berkhahn described the decision to hold events in the Seine as ‘a big risk’.However, city officials remain confident. Hidalgo stated, ‘When we clean the Seine, of course we will allow the Olympics to prepare, of course we will be able to swim afterwards, but we also protect the oceans for future generations’. The conditions for the swim were favorable, with sunny weather, water temperature at 20°C, and a decrease in bacteria levels and flow rate.As Paris enters the final stretch of Olympic preparations, the success of Hidalgo’s swim may help allay fears about the Seine’s readiness. However, with the eyes of the world turning to Paris, the true test of the river’s transformation will come when athletes take to its waters in just over a week’s time.

Key points

• Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo successfully swam in the Seine River, demonstrating improved water quality ahead of the Olympics.
• The swim represents the culmination of a €1.

4 billion investment to clean up the Seine since 2016.

• Despite the positive demonstration, some concerns remain about the river’s suitability for Olympic competition.
• The Seine is set to host several Olympic events, including open water swimming and triathlon.

Contradictions👾While city officials express confidence in the Seine’s water quality, some trainers and athletes remain skeptical, with German swimming coach Bernd Berkhahn calling it ‘a big risk’.