The Seine River in Paris has faced concerns over its water quality ahead of the women’s and men’s marathon swimming events scheduled as part of the Olympics. The presence of faecal bacteria above World Aquatics standards has led to the cancellation of a test run for athletes to familiarise themselves with the course. This comes after four triathletes fell ill following the individual races last week, though it is unclear if the water was to blame.
Despite the challenges, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo remains confident that the events will go ahead as planned due to an improvement in weather conditions and water quality. Organisers point to the significant improvements made to the river’s infrastructure, including a €1.4bn investment to reduce pollution and ensure the water is safe for swimming events.
Swimming in the Seine has been largely prohibited for over 100 years due to pollution levels, but recent efforts have aimed to change that. However, water quality in the river remains closely linked to weather conditions, with heavy rains leading to elevated bacteria levels while warm temperatures and sunlight can help to reduce germs.
As the Olympics continue, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of athletes participating in water-based events in the Seine. Despite challenges, organisers are optimistic that the events will proceed as planned, highlighting the progress made in improving the water quality of the historic river.
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