Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games: Tips for Healthy River Seine Swimming

The upcoming Summer Olympic Games in Paris 2024 are set to feature marathon swimmers and triathletes competing in the city 's historic river Seine . Despite its iconic status , the Seine has been off - limits to swimmers for over a century due to contamination issues . However , Olympic organizers have invested .5 billion to clean up the river , including building a tank to hold stormwater and upgrading sewage pipes to limit pollution.

Tests conducted in July still showed unsafe levels of bacteria in the river , including E. coli and enterococcus . The cleanliness of the water has been fluctuating depending on various factors such as rain and current speed . Paris officials have been monitoring the situation closely , with weekly reports indicating the suitability of the river for swimming based on European standards.

Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo and Paris 2024 organizing committee president Tony Estanguet demonstrated their confidence in the river 's cleanliness by taking a dip in the Seine . However , the decision on whether to hold the swimming events in the river ultimately rests with sports governing bodies , who will analyze data collected by Paris officials before the scheduled events.

Experts have raised concerns about the health risks athletes might face if the river is deemed safe for swimming during the competition . The presence of pollutants like E. coli and chemical contaminants could lead to gastrointestinal illnesses and skin irritation . The unpredictability of the weather and sewage system in Paris adds to the challenges of ensuring the river is safe for athletes.

Despite efforts to clean up the Seine , uncertainties remain about the water quality during the Olympic events . Organizers have a contingency plan in place to relocate the marathon swimming event if necessary . The lack of a final decision has caused stress for athletes and coaches , who are calling for clear guidelines to ensure their safety during the Games.

In conclusion , the efforts to make the Seine swimmable for the Paris 2024 Olympics are ongoing , with ongoing testing and monitoring to determine the river 's suitability for competition . The health and safety of the athletes remain a top priority , and organizers are working to address any concerns about water quality before the Games begin.