Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has made a splash by swimming in the Seine to showcase the river’s cleanliness ahead of the upcoming Olympic Games, set to begin in just nine days.
Swimming in the Seine was banned for over 100 years due to pollution concerns. However, Hidalgo’s swim aims to reassure both Parisians and international visitors of the river’s improved water quality. “The water is very good. A bit cold, but not too bad,” Hidalgo commented after her swim.
This public display comes after water quality tests in early June indicated unsafe levels of certain bacteria in the Seine, where several Olympic events are scheduled to take place. Since then, rigorous efforts have been made to enhance the water quality, resulting in significant improvements.
Hidalgo’s swim is a symbolic gesture of Paris’s commitment to environmental health and readiness to host a safe and successful Olympic Games.
Photo: facebook/HidalgoAnne