Do you recall the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics?
Those two weeks filled with intense sports competitions set against the backdrop of iconic landmarks were quite something, enjoying the sunshine in the beautiful French capital.
But there was always this looming question about whether the waters would be clean enough for open water swimming and triathlons.
Organizers aimed high, hoping to hold events in rivers that were often too polluted for swimming, though they faced occasional setbacks when heavy rains increased contamination levels.
This summer, Paris officials are making good on their promises from the games. Public swimming is now allowed at three points in the Seine deemed safe for swimming.
“The 2024 moment was extraordinary, but swimming during the games wasn’t the end of the story,” said Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo to reporters.
“Being able to swim in the Seine primarily addresses climate change adaptation and enhances quality of life,” she noted.
People can now envision enjoying the Seine at spots like Brass Marie in the Grenell district, located to the west of Paris, and Brass Marie in Bercy, situated to the east.
Once a popular pastime in Paris, swimming in the Seine had been off-limits for nearly a century due to contamination levels.
“This summer, both Parisians and visitors will get to experience the joy of swimming in the Seine, a century after it was banned,” the city hall shared in a statement.
Pierre Labadin, the deputy mayor in charge of sports, mentioned that swimming will be supervised at these locations. The city expects between 150 to 300 people at these sites concurrently, with the season closing at the end of August.
Similar to beaches, a flag system—green, yellow, and red—will indicate swimming safety, reflecting current water quality conditions in the Seine.
Water quality is rigorously monitored; high bacteria levels have previously postponed several competitions during the Olympics.
Daily checks are performed, and if it rains, swimming may be halted, explained Mark Guillaume, a leading civil servant in the ILE-de-France region, which includes Paris.
He expressed “greater optimism” regarding water quality this summer compared to last year, owing to the significant cleanup efforts made.
