Paris, July 17, 2024, The Europe Today: Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of the French capital Paris, took a symbolic swim in the Seine River on Wednesday to demonstrate that its waters are clean enough to host outdoor swimming events for the Paris Olympics later this month.
During the Paris Games, participants in the triathlon and marathon swimming events are expected to swim in the Seine, where swimming has been prohibited for over a century. Donning a wetsuit and goggles, Anne Hidalgo described the river as “exquisite,” though she noted the water was somewhat cold.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo Swims in Seine to Promote Clean Water
Efforts to clean the Seine have been extensive. On the eve of the Games, when the Seine will play a central role, this event highlights the city’s and state’s efforts to improve the river’s water quality and ecological condition, according to a statement from Hidalgo’s office on Tuesday. Over $1.5 billion (€1.4 billion) has been invested in cleaning the long-polluted river.
However, the Seine has remained a concern, with sewage water levels exceeding authorized limits in repeated tests until earlier this month. Recent samples have indicated that the river is finally ready for the games. In the event of heavy rain affecting the Seine’s flow during the Games, organizers have stated that the swimming events will be canceled, and the marathon swimming competition will be relocated to the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium in the greater Paris region.
Hidalgo’s swim was initially planned for last month but was postponed after reports revealed faecal matter levels 10 times higher than the authorized limit. Her long-awaited dip in the Seine sparked a wave of online memes, including an AI-generated image depicting her as the character Dobby from the Harry Potter series. A protest group even threatened to defecate in the river using the hashtag #jechiedanslaSeine (#IshitintheSeine).
Joining Anne Hidalgo in her swimming exercise on Wednesday were Chief Paris Games organizer Tony Estanguet and Marc Guillaume, the top security officer in greater Paris. President Emmanuel Macron had also intended to participate but canceled due to political crises following his call for snap elections.
Hidalgo’s swim serves as a significant milestone, showcasing the city’s commitment to improving the Seine and ensuring a successful and safe Paris Olympics.
