Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo made a significant statement on Wednesday by taking a swim in the Seine River, demonstrating its cleanliness ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games. This symbolic gesture marked a milestone in the ongoing efforts to improve the river's water quality.
Over the past six years, organizers have invested $1.5 billion in various initiatives aimed at cleaning up the Seine River in preparation for the upcoming Olympics. The river had been off-limits to swimmers for more than a century due to concerns about pollution and water quality.
Recent tests conducted by the monitoring group Eau de Paris had previously shown unsafe levels of E. coli bacteria in the river, highlighting the challenges that needed to be addressed. However, significant improvements have been made, allowing Mayor Hidalgo to fulfill her promise of swimming in the Seine.
Mayor Hidalgo described the experience as a 'dream' and a testament to the progress that has been achieved in cleaning up the river. This initiative aligns with a longstanding goal of the French people, with former President Jacques Chirac also having pledged to clean up the Seine River back in 1988.
Despite facing some opposition, including an online protest involving the hashtag 'I'm pooping in the Seine,' the event proceeded smoothly. City officials and athletes joined Mayor Hidalgo in the water, enjoying a moment of celebration and unity.
Looking ahead, the Seine River will play a prominent role during the 2024 Olympic Games, featuring in the opening ceremony and hosting various open water swimming events. These events, including marathon swimming and the swimming legs of the Olympic and Paralympic triathlons, will showcase the improved water quality of the Seine River to a global audience.
