French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera took a symbolic swim in the River Seine on Saturday, demonstrating the waterway's readiness for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The publicized event, reported by USA Today, aimed to allay concerns about water quality for the planned swimming events.
Baignade dans la Seine: les images de la ministre des Sports plongeant dans le fleuve à Paris à 13 jours des JO pic.twitter.com/xzZu3K13so
— BFMTV (@BFMTV) July 13, 2024
Oudea-Castera's brief swim near the Alexandre III and Invalides bridges, captured by BFM TV, comes as part of a broader campaign to showcase the Seine's suitability for Olympic competitions. The river is slated to host triathlon and marathon swimming events during the games, scheduled from July 26 to August 11, 2024.
Despite the minister's confidence, some US swimmers have expressed reservations about the clean-up efforts. Their concerns have led to speculation about whether the events will indeed take place in the Seine as planned.
Addressing these uncertainties, Olympics organizers told USA Today last week that a backup venue has been designated. The Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, located just outside Paris and already set to host canoe-kayak and rowing events, could serve as an alternative if the Seine fails to meet required cleanliness standards.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, a staunch advocate for the Seine's rehabilitation, has also pledged to swim in the river to mark the Olympics' arrival and demonstrate its suitability for aquatic events. Hidalgo's commitment underscores the city's determination to revitalize the historic waterway, which last hosted Olympic events during the 1900 Paris Games.
