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Anne Hidalgo Celebrates Paris Triathlon Success Amidst Skepticism
Anne Hidalgo proudly celebrates the success of the Paris Triathlon, overcoming skepticism and showcasing the city’s sporting spirit. Discover how this event has united the community and highlighted Paris as a vibrant destination for athletes.
A Triumphant Day for Paris’s Mayor Anne Hidalgo
It was a day filled with triumph and elation for the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, a day she had eagerly anticipated for the past nine years. After enduring skepticism and criticism from various quarters, she finally had the opportunity to bask in a momentous occasion. The sun shone brightly, illuminating a scene that had been clouded by uncertainty due to recent heavy rains.
On Wednesday morning, the stretch of the Seine River, which had been meticulously prepared to host the Olympic triathlon events, was officially declared clean and ready for competition. A resounding horn echoed through the air, signaling the start as over a hundred elite athletes plunged into the water, greeted by the enthusiastic cheers of thousands of fans lining the banks.
In a remarkable turn of events, Cassandre Beaugrand, the French triathlete, emerged victorious, becoming the first woman to conquer the challenging swim, bike, and run course that spanned the iconic Alexandre III Bridge. Her gold medal victory added to the nation’s pride. Later in the day, French triathlete Léo Bergère secured a bronze medal in the men’s event, finishing behind Alex Yee from Britain and Hayden Wilde from New Zealand.
Ms. Hidalgo expressed her joy, stating, “It was the cherry on the cake,” as she celebrated with a jubilant crowd that filled the streets and riverbanks, many stopping her for selfies amidst the festivities. She reflected on the significance of using the Seine for Olympic events, emphasizing that it represented a reclamation of the river through extensive depollution efforts.
Just weeks prior, doubts loomed large over the feasibility of France’s ambitious Olympic plans and the river’s pivotal role in them. The decision to hold the opening ceremony along the Seine, rather than within a secured stadium, raised eyebrows, especially in a city with a history marked by terrorism. Moreover, the massive undertaking to purify the river’s waters for not only the triathlon but also for marathon swimming was often dismissed as an extravagant and unrealistic endeavor.