Swimming in the Seine on a hot summer’s day has been a cherished dream for many Parisians since it was banned a century ago.
Thanks to investments tied to the upcoming Paris Olympics, this dream could soon become a reality.
The river will take center stage at the opening ceremony on July 26 and will host events like the triathlon and swimming marathon.
If successful, next summer could see Parisians and tourists swimming in the Seine.
Paris has been reclaiming its river with the opening of three new urban “beaches,” with plans for more along the Marne River.
Former French president Jacques Chirac first suggested swimming in the Seine in 1990, but current mayor Anne Hidalgo has championed the idea.
Despite efforts to clean up the river, water quality tests have raised concerns about the feasibility of Olympic swimming events.
Progress has been made in improving water quality and reducing pollution, but challenges remain.
Efforts to make the Seine swimmable for the Olympics have led to the modernization of sewage plants and stormwater control stations upstream.
The return of fish species and improvements in oxygen levels signal positive changes in the river’s health.
The fate of Olympic events on the river ultimately depends on weather conditions.
Despite ongoing challenges, the possibility of swimming in the Seine is becoming more realistic than ever before.
Urban beaches and improved water treatment facilities offer hope for a cleaner and swimmable Seine in the future.
