Amelie Oudea Cast?ra Appointed French Minister of Sports
With Paralympic Triathlon Athlete
The French Minister of Sports jumped into the Seine River amid concerns over water quality. Earlier, controversy arose over the water quality of the Seine, where some swimming events will be held ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics opening.
Until last month, frequent rain caused sewage and wastewater to flow into the Seine, resulting in detection of coliform bacteria and enterococci above the standard levels. However, the organizers stated that the water quality of the Seine has improved to a level suitable for competition.
Amelie Oudea-Castera, French Minister of Sports, jumping into the Seine River (left). [Photo by French Ministry of Sports, Paris Olympic Organizing Committee/AP=Yonhap News]
On the 14th (Korean time), AP News and dpa News reported that Am?lie Oud?a-Cast?ra, the French Minister of Sports, jumped into the Seine with a Paralympic triathlon athlete.
Wearing a bodysuit, Minister Cast?ra plunged into the water near the Pont Alexandre III, saying, "The Seine is beautiful. The water quality is good." Among French politicians who declared they would jump into the Seine in Paris, Cast?ra is the first to actually do so.
During the Olympic and Paralympic periods, triathlon swimming events and open water swimming, known as the "swimming marathon," will be held in the sections of the Seine near Pont Alexandre III and Pont de l'Alma.
However, the water quality of the Seine became a subject of controversy because coliform bacteria and enterococci above the standard levels were detected. According to the European Union (EU) 2006 water quality directive, coliform bacteria must be detected at no more than 900 CFU (Colony-forming units) per 100mL, and enterococci at no more than 330 CFU per 100mL for swimming to be allowed. Swimming in water exceeding these standards poses risks of exposure to gastroenteritis, conjunctivitis, otitis externa, and skin diseases.
Amelie Oudea-Castera, French Minister of Sports, jumping into the Seine River (left). [Photo by French Ministry of Sports, Paris Olympic Organizing Committee/AP=Yonhap News]
Afterwards, claiming that the water quality of the Seine had improved, the Mayor of Paris and several politicians rushed to enter the Seine themselves to prove its safety. In response, citizens opposing the French government’s Seine swimming events launched the "Seine Pooping (#jechiedanslaseinele23jin)" campaign. Parisians planned this protest in opposition to rising prices and transportation costs due to the Olympics. Additionally, the French government’s eviction of homeless people to preserve the city’s appearance also fueled public resentment.
Meanwhile, the Paris Olympics will be the first Summer Olympics held in Europe in 12 years since the 2012 London Olympics. It will also be the first Olympics held in Paris in exactly 100 years since the 1924 Paris Olympics, with about 10,500 athletes from around the world expected to participate.
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