Paris’ little-known canals have become a summer retreat for swimmers in the city, offering a refreshing escape from the urban hustle. However, the spotlight has recently shifted to the River Seine, with the promise of making it clean and safe for Parisians, particularly in light of the upcoming Olympics.
Despite the enthusiasm for canal swimming, many locals remain hesitant about taking a plunge into the iconic Seine. The canals, originating from a separate water source and subject to daily pollution and bacteria testing, have garnered a reputation for their cleanliness and safety.
Significant efforts, amounting to about $1.5 billion, were dedicated to cleaning up the Seine in preparation for the Games. Paris officials, including Mayor Anne Hidalgo, made a public display of the river's improved quality, with hopes of hosting triathlon events and open-water marathon swimming.
However, concerns arose over water quality levels leading up to and during the Olympics. Inclement weather, such as heavy rainfall in mid-June, contributed to the Seine's water quality not meeting the required standards, resulting in the postponement of the men's triathlon and familiarization sessions.
Prior to the Games, E. coli levels in the river exceeded acceptable standards for an extended period. Despite these challenges, all scheduled events eventually proceeded as planned.
Interestingly, while some Parisians remained wary of the Seine's water quality, athletes participating in the Games displayed a different attitude. Women's 10k marathon swim champion Sharon van Rouwendaal even went as far as drinking from the river after her race, expressing her satisfaction with the experience.
Van Rouwendaal remarked, 'I was thirsty, I needed a refreshment. So I was like, ‘I’ll drink the Seine.’ I don’t care, it was cold, it was nice. I didn’t taste anything. In other races you would taste fish or sea water, this was fine.'
