Under blue skies and bright sunshine, curious Parisians gathered along the right bank of the Seine to witness a remarkable event: Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo plunging into the water. Clad in a wetsuit and goggles, she fulfilled her promise to demonstrate that the Seine River is now clean enough to host open swimming competitions during the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics. The opening ceremony, set to take place on the river, is just nine days away.
City Mayor clears specualtions ahead of Paris Olympics
For over a century, swimming in the Seine had been banned due to pollution. However, the Paris Games organizers invested a staggering $1.5 billion to prepare the river for the Olympics and ensure a cleaner environment for residents afterward. Their initiatives included:
Infrastructure Improvements: The construction of a giant underground water storage basin in central Paris, which helps manage water flow and reduce pollution.
Sewer Renovation: Upgrading sewer infrastructure to prevent contamination.
Wastewater Treatment Plants: Enhancing wastewater treatment facilities to maintain water quality.
Despite initial concerns about E. coli bacteria levels, daily water quality tests by the monitoring group Eau de Paris have shown improvements. Hidalgo’s swim sends a powerful message to athletes: they can now enjoy the Games in a Seine that meets international standards.
As Hidalgo emerged from the water, she described it as “wonderful,” while Olympic President Tony Estanguet emphasized that this milestone confirms their readiness for the Games. The Seine, once long-polluted, now stands as a symbol of Paris’s commitment to sustainability and progress.
The mayor of Paris swam in the cleaned-up Seine on Wednesday, after a $1.5 billion project to stop the flow of sewage and industrial waste into the water. The murky river will be a focal point of the Olympic Games in the city this month. https://t.co/mF7f3TlwNA pic.twitter.com/ZcRdBmSZOB
— The New York Times (@nytimes) July 17, 2024
So, as the world turns its eyes to the 2024 Olympics, the Seine River flows cleaner and brighter, ready to host athletes and spectators alike. Anne Hidalgo’s swim serves as a refreshing reminder of the transformative power of determination and collective action. The Seine, once a challenge, now becomes a celebration.
