The mayor of Paris and the president of the organizing committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games swam in the River Seine today, in an attempt to show that the water is of sufficient quality to host aquatic events.
Anne Hidalgo wore a wetsuit and goggles, accompanied by Tony Estanguet and some swimmers from local clubs, and swam about 100 meters, in a “race” that was watched by many curious people on the river banks.
“The Seine is wonderful,” said Higaldo after his bath, adding: “The water is good, very good, it’s just a little cold.”
Anne Hildalgo and Tony Estanguet’s bath is yet another effort by French officials to attest to the quality of the water in the River Seine, which will be one of the main venues for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, as in addition to hosting the opening and closing ceremonies, it will also host the 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 ensure that Parisians have a cleaner river after the event.
The plan included the construction of a gigantic underground water storage basin in the center of Paris, the renovation of the sewage network and the modernization of wastewater treatment plants.
Anne Hidalgo had planned to swim in the Seine for June, but it ended up being postponed due to the recent elections in the country and the emergence, on social media, of a movement that, through the hashtag #jechiedanslaseinele23juin (I defecate in the Seine on June 23), incited the French to protest against the Games.
The water quality of the Seine River, which has been a major concern for organizers, has recently reached normal quality standards “on 10 or 11 days out of the last 12,” the vice-mayor of Paris said on Friday, assuring that there were no concerns about holding the Olympics.
“We hope that (the quality) will improve a little, but we have no concerns about the possible holding of the planned competitions,” said Pierre Rabadin at the time, adding: “I’m not saying that we are very calm, especially because of the weather, but we have no concerns about the ability to hold the competitions.”
Until June, weekly analyses indicated concentration levels of the Escherichia coli bacteria well above the limit set by international triathlon and swimming federations for holding events.
Water quality can be affected by an unfavorable hydrological and meteorological context, namely rains that cause high flows and temperatures below standard.
The city of Paris will host the Olympic Games, between July 26 and August 11, and the Paralympic Games, from August 28 to September 8.
Source: www.cmjornal.pt
