Reports of athletes becoming ill after swimming in the River Seine have raised alarms, but many locals in Paris have been warning about the river’s poor water quality long before the Olympics. Test results released just two months ahead of the swimming events indicated troubling levels of bacteria in the river. Despite a significant cleanup effort costing around €1.3 billion, the water remains unsafe for swimming.
The River Seine is integral to Paris’s identity, once serving as a vital water source and a place for recreation. However, swimming has been prohibited for over a century due to health concerns, as the river carries much of the city’s wastewater and is constantly subject to pollution from stormwater.
Swimming in the Seine has been emphasized during the 2024 Olympics, where it will be a key venue for events including the opening ceremony and the triathlon. French authorities have been striving to improve water quality ahead of the Games, spending billions to address pollution sources like leaking sewage systems. Residents express frustration over the cleanup efforts, culminating in a planned protest known as the Paris Poop Protest.
While it is unclear if the protest took place, some residents used a humorous campaign to mock local officials, including President Emmanuel Macron and Mayor Anne Hidalgo, both of whom promised to swim in the Seine to demonstrate its safety. Hidalgo was notably photographed swimming in the river recently.
Despite these efforts, water quality remains a concern. The bacterial contamination rose to alarming levels at times during June, just before New Zealand triathlete Hayden Wilde and another athlete reported falling ill with E. coli after swimming. Symptoms of the infection can include severe stomach issues and diarrhea.
To assess water safety, a monitoring group analyzes the Seine’s water weekly, focusing on levels of E. coli and another bacterium indicating fecal contamination. As the Games approach, organizers have adjusted their contingency plans, revealing they now have alternative dates if swimming conditions are unsuitable. If necessary, some events may be relocated or modified.
The preparations continue, but the issues surrounding water safety in the Seine remain a significant concern as the Paris Olympics approach.