It’s the study that confirms Parisians’ skepticism about the Olympic Games since last September, the Seine has had too many bacteria in it, making it impossible to swim, particularly in terms of the standards set by the International Swimming Federation. With just over a hundred days to go before the start of the sporting extravaganza, the city remains confident that the river will be swimmable and ready for the Games.
Bacteria make swimming in the Seine impossible
The Seine will be the scene of 3 events during the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. Athletes will take part in the 1,500 m triathlon swim, cover 10 km in the marathon swim, while the river will also host the paratriathlon event. But the closer the deadline approaches, the more skeptical people become, especially since the study carried out by the NGO Surfrider Fondation.
Since September, regular sampling has been carried out in the river, in particular at the Pont de l’Alma and Pont Alexandre III, where the Olympic events will take place. Out of 14 samples taken, 13 were found to contain bacteria, notably enterococci and E. Coli, at levels 2 to 3 times higher than the standards set by the International Swimming Federation for athletes’ health.
The prefecture maintains that the “work is not finished” and that the Seine will be in place for the Olympic Games, asserting that a “plan B” does not exist. It remains to be seen whether the river will see the athletics team compete next July. To be continued…
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