The mayor of Paris and the president of the organizing committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games swam in the Seine today in an attempt to show that the water quality is suitable for holding water events.
Anne Hidalgo, wearing a neoprene suit and goggles, was accompanied by Tony Estangue and several swimmers from local clubs who swam about 100 meters in a “test” watched by many spectators on the riverbank.
“The Seine is beautiful,” said Igaldo after his swim, adding, “The water is good, very good, just a little cold.”
Anne Hildalgo and Tony Estanguet’s bath is another attempt by French officials to confirm the quality of the water in the Seine River, which will be a major stage in the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as hosting the opening and closing ceremonies, which are also set to include triathlon, paratriathlon and open-water swimming events.
Since 2015, €1.3 billion has been invested to prepare the Seine for the Olympic Games, which begin on July 26, and to ensure Parisians have a cleaner river after the competitions.
The plan included the construction of a giant underground water storage tank in central Paris, the reconstruction of the sewer network and the modernization of treatment plants.
Anne Hidalgo had planned to swim in the Seine in June, but it was ultimately postponed due to the country’s recent elections and the emergence of a social media movement that, using the hashtag #jechiedanslaseinele23juin (“I defecate in the Seine on June 23”), called on the French to protest the Games.
The water quality of the Seine, which has been a huge concern for organisers, has recently reached normal quality standards “on 10 or 11 days out of the last 12,” the vice-president of the Paris Chamber said on Friday, assuring there were no concerns about the staging of Olympic events.
“We hope [a qualidade] “The weather is improving a little bit, but we have no concerns about the possibility of holding the planned competitions,” Pierre Rabaden said at the time, noting: “I’m not saying that we are very calm, especially because of the weather, but we are not worried about the possibility of holding the competitions.”
Until June, weekly tests showed levels of Escherichia coli bacteria well above the limit set by the International Triathlon and Swimming Federations for competitions.
Water quality may deteriorate due to unfavourable hydrological and meteorological contexts, namely rainfall causing high runoff and below normal temperatures.
Paris will host the Olympic Games from July 26 to August 11 and the Paralympic Games from August 28 to September 8.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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