On Saturday, Paris, the capital of France, reopened the Seine River for swimming after more than a century, in line with the legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympics and amid Europe’s record-breaking high temperatures. Dozens of swimmers took the plunge under the supervision of lifeguards.
The city has designated three outdoor pool zones, equipped with changing rooms and showers, accessible opposite L’île aux Cyknes (Swan Island) near the Eiffel Tower, Noter-Dame Cathedral, and the Bibliothéque nationale de France. These zones will feature beach-style seating for 150 to 300 sunbathers, and access will be free of charge until August 31st. Water quality is to be continually monitored, and lifeguards will assess swimmers’ abilities given the currents, depth, and boat traffic.
Swimming in the Seine was banned in 1923 primarily due to health risks caused by pollution, including bacteria and sewage discharge. Despite the ban, Paris Mayor Jacques Chirac advocated for its reversal in 1988. In preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympics, about €1.4 billion was invested in improving water quality, which included building an underground storage tank and upgrading wastewater treatment plants. During the Olympics, the river hosted triathlon and open-water swimming events, and some athletes fell ill afterward.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and French Sports Minister Marie Barsacq praised the cleanup efforts as part of a broader plan to combat climate change and enhance city life. President Emmanuel Macron also praised the initiative, calling it a source of national pride.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/paris-reopens-seine-river-for-public-swimming/a-73163816?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
