Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo has expressed confidence that the water quality in the River Seine will meet Olympic standards this summer, allowing her to prove it by swimming there alongside President Emmanuel Macron. The Seine will host marathon swimming events and the swimming leg of the Olympic and Paralympic triathlons. For decades, the Seine has been too toxic for most fish and swimmers, but recent efforts to clean up the river have improved water quality and opened up the possibility of swimming in the river legally for the first time since 1923.
New facilities and water treatment plants have been built to clean up the river, including a storage basin near Paris’ Austerlitz train station that will hold excess wastewater to prevent it from being discharged untreated into the Seine during heavy rainfall. Mayor Hidalgo has invited top officials, including President Macron, to participate in “the big dive” event in June or July, where they will prove the safety of swimming in the Seine. Routine water testing to ensure water quality for swimming during the Games will begin on June 1, with daily testing scheduled during the Olympics to determine if events can proceed as planned.
The estimated cost of the Seine cleanup efforts is $1.5 billion, with funding coming from the state and local authorities. Despite concerns raised by NGOs about poor water quality, officials are confident that water quality will be suitable for swimming during the Games and beyond. The Surfrider Foundation reported high bacteria levels in the Seine, raising health risks for athletes, but ongoing testing and treatment facilities are expected to address these concerns before the start of the Games.
Alongside preparations for water quality, Paris is also focusing on security measures for the Olympic Games. Around 30,000 police officers are expected to be deployed each day during the Games, with an increased presence of 45,000 officers during the opening ceremony along the Seine. Mayor Hidalgo emphasized that security is a top concern for authorities to ensure the safety of participants and spectators. Various cultural and sports events are planned across Paris during the summer to celebrate the Games and showcase the city’s vibrant atmosphere.
While swimming in the Seine will become legal for the first time since 1923, officials have emphasized that out-of-season swimming will remain illegal. The Seine cleanup efforts are part of a larger initiative to revitalize the river and improve water quality for residents and visitors. Mayor Hidalgo’s commitment to swimming in the Seine alongside President Macron reflects the city’s efforts to showcase the improvements made to the river’s water quality, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for athletes and spectators during the Olympic Games and beyond.
