Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo Swims in Cleaned-Up Seine River Ahead of Olympics

After facing numerous delays due to heavy rain and political issues, Anne Hidalgo, the Mayor of Paris, finally fulfilled her promise to swim in the revitalized waters of the Seine River. This symbolic gesture marks the city’s commitment to the upcoming Paris Olympics.

Despite challenges, on a beautiful morning in Paris, Mayor Hidalgo, known for her environmental initiatives, took a plunge into the now cleaner Seine River, which has undergone a massive $1.5 billion engineering project to improve its water quality. The river is now deemed suitable for Olympic events like the triathlon and swimming competitions, as well as for hosting the opening ceremony.

Accompanied by Tony Estanguet, a three-time Olympic gold medalist in canoeing and head of the Paris Olympics Committee, Hidalgo swam downstream in the Seine, showcasing the city’s efforts to make the river a focal point of the upcoming Games. Despite the river flowing faster than usual due to recent heavy rainfall, the event proceeded smoothly.

Originally planned for June 23, the swim had to be postponed due to high water levels and contamination concerns. Subsequent dates were also rescheduled, with the final swim taking place on a picture-perfect day in Paris, with spectators lining the riverbanks and bridges to witness the symbolic moment.