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Paris: River Seine Opens Up For Swimming After Being Polluted For 100 Years; Mayor Takes A Swim To Prove Transformation

Mayor Hidalgo emerged from the water and declared with triumph that the Seine was exquisite.

by Nikitha Sebastian
Paris: River Seine Opens Up For Swimming After Being Polluted For 100 Years; Mayor Takes A Swim To Prove Transformation

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo made a bold statement on Wednesday, diving into the River Seine to showcase its improved water quality ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games. This public display aimed to dispel concerns about the river’s cleanliness, a historic issue for the iconic waterway.

Paris Mayor Takes A Swim In River Seine

Hidalgo, clad in a wetsuit and goggles, wasn’t alone. Joined by Paris 2024 chief Tony Estanguet, regional government official Marc Guillaume, and local swimmers, she took the plunge near City Hall, a stone’s throw from Notre Dame Cathedral.

Mayor Hidalgo emerged from the water and declared with triumph that the Seine was exquisite. AP News reported that she said the water was very good, a little cool, but not bad at all. This swim, she announced, marked the successful completion of the city’s “swimming plan” launched in 2015. The plan’s goal had been to transform the Seine from a polluted river to one suitable for athletic competition.

Hidalgo’s enthusiasm was clear. She beamed and said that this was a dream, a testament to all the hard work that had been accomplished. The group then swam for about 100 metres, showcasing their swimming skills with both crawl and breaststroke techniques.

Also Read: Hotel Prices Drop Up To 50% As Expected Tourists Do Not Show Up For Paris Olympics 2024

A Clean Seine For The Olympics

Estanguet, a three-time Olympic gold medallist in canoeing, agreed with the mayor’s sentiments. He remarked to AP News that it was admirable that they were cleaning up the river, underlining the broader goal which wasn’t just to have a clean Seine for the Olympics, but for the Parisians themselves.

This public display wasn’t without its challenges. Originally planned for June, Hidalgo’s swim was postponed due to French elections. Social media saw the rise of the hashtag “#jechiedanslaSeine” (#IshitintheSeine) as some threatened playful (or perhaps not-so-playful) protests. Undeterred, Hidalgo took a cautious approach on Wednesday, entering the water via a ladder on a specially constructed platform.

Security was tight, with seven boats patrolling the area. Enzo Gallet, a competitive swimmer who had been invited to join the mayor, shared his experience. As per reports by AP News, he said with a smile that her crawl form looked pretty good and that it was special to be among the first people to swim in the Seine in such a long time.

Also Read: Olympic Torch Relay To Arrive In Host City, Paris On July 14, BTS Jin To Be A Torchbearer; All You Need To Know

The 2024 Olympics will see the Seine host several open water swimming events, including the marathon swim and triathlon legs. Mayor Hidalgo’s bold act serves as a beacon of hope, a symbol of the city’s commitment to transforming the Seine into a stage for Olympic dreams.

Cover Image Courtesy:@kimwillsher1, @RajeevR1972/X (Formerly, Twitter)

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