For decades, Parisian mayors have pursued the ambitious goal of cleaning up the Seine River sufficiently to enable swimming and host events like triathlons, a challenge that seemed unattainable until recently.
On Wednesday, Mayor Anne Hidalgo fulfilled this long-standing promise as she became one of the first to swim in the river, joined by a group of officials, athletes, and locals. Following rigorous testing that confirmed the water’s safety, Hidalgo’s symbolic swim marked a significant milestone.
“It’s a dream day… and the sun is shining,” remarked Hidalgo after confidently swimming a respectable 100 meters downstream in water measuring a comfortable 20°C (68°F). “It’s a sweet and wonderful moment, the result of extensive effort.” She recalled the initial skepticism in 2015 when the campaign for the Games began, questioning whether the Seine could host events like triathlons. Today, she affirmed, it can.
Tony Estanguet, president of the Paris 2024 organizing committee, commended City Hall and French authorities for achieving swimable conditions in the Seine. “Today, we confirm that the Seine is suitable for swimming and can host triathlon and marathon swimming competitions,” he announced.
The transformation of the river, long plagued by water quality issues, included the recent completion of a €1.4 billion holding and treatment tank to manage stormwater during heavy rains, along with upgrades to the wastewater network.
Despite past setbacks and concerns over pollution levels, recent efforts have significantly improved water quality, ensuring compliance with sports federation standards. Regular testing will continue ahead of scheduled events to maintain cleanliness, with contingency plans in place to address potential spikes in pollution due to heavy rain during the Games.
In addition to its significance for sports, making the Seine swimmable represents a broader environmental milestone for Paris, reflecting efforts to combat the climate crisis and reduce ocean pollution downstream.