Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo to Dive into the Seine Ahead of Olympic Games
The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, will take a historic plunge into the Seine River on Wednesday, just nine days before the start of the Olympic Games. This event marks a significant milestone in the city's efforts to clean up the river and ensure its suitability for swimming. Accompanying Hidalgo will be Tony Estanguet, the president of the Olympic organizing committee, and Marc Guillaume, the regional prefect.
Ensuring Water Quality and Safety
For the past 15 days, authorities have confirmed that the Seine meets the required bacteriological standards for swimming. Recent water analyses have shown positive results, assuring that the river is ready for the triathlon, para-triathlon, and marathon swimming events planned during the Olympics. The Minister of Sports and Games, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, already took a plunge into the Seine on Saturday, signaling confidence in the water quality.
Investments and Legacy
The cleanup of the Seine has been a massive undertaking, with the State and the Ile-de-France communities investing 1.4 billion euros. The goal is to make the river swimmable at around thirty sites in the region. One of the major objectives is to correct the poor connections of 23,000 homes upstream of Paris, which currently discharge untreated wastewater into the Seine and the Marne. The authorities aim to treat 50% of these residences before the Olympics. Additionally, there remains a need to recruit 700 more private security personnel to ensure the smooth running of the Games.
Preparing for the Opening Ceremony
The flow of the Seine is currently three times higher than normal, but it is expected to decrease to levels compatible with the opening ceremony. This ceremony will feature an unprecedented nautical parade on the Seine. However, it is possible that boats with larger air drafts may be replaced by smaller ones to accommodate the conditions.
