Paris Mayor Swims in the Seine River: "Water Quality Is Good" Satisfaction

Ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Mayor of Paris, France, entered the Seine River.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At around 9:55 a.m. on the 17th (local time), Anne Hidalgo, the Mayor of Paris, entered the Seine River between the Saint-Paul district and ?le Saint-Louis.

Wearing a wetsuit and goggles, Mayor Hidalgo swam freestyle for about five minutes and reached a nearby dock. Tony Estanguet, Chair of the Paris Olympic Organizing Committee, and Pierre Rabadan, Deputy Mayor of Paris in charge of the Olympics and the Seine, also swam alongside Mayor Hidalgo.

After finishing her swim, Mayor Hidalgo said, "We have dreamed of this moment for years," adding, "We have worked hard to clean the Seine, and as a result, the water quality is very good."

Mayor Hidalgo stated, "The Olympics have been a driving force and catalyst for (water quality improvement), but we are also doing this to adapt to climate change and reclaim the river," and added, "Our goal is to enable swimming in the Seine even after the Olympics end." The City of Paris plans to create swimming pools accessible to the public at four locations along the Seine starting next year.

The reason Mayor Hidalgo personally jumped into the Seine was due to water quality controversies ahead of the Olympics. Some swimming events will take place in the Seine, but until last month, frequent rain caused inflows of sewage and wastewater, resulting in detection of coliform bacteria and enterococci above standard levels in the river.

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 100 ml, and enterococci at no more than 330 CFU per 100 ml for swimming to be allowed.

Under the World Aquatics Federation’s water quality standards, the maximum allowable coliform bacteria is 1000 CFU per 100 ml, and enterococci is 400 CFU.

Swimming in water exceeding these standards can cause gastrointestinal inflammation, conjunctivitis, otitis externa, and skin diseases.

Thanks to recent improved weather and ongoing Seine water purification efforts, indicators showed that water quality has improved to meet swimming suitability standards since the end of last month.

Earlier, on the 13th, Am?lie Oud?a-Cast?ra, Minister of Sports, also jumped into the Seine.