The River Seine in Paris is set to reopen as a public swimming spot for the first time in over a century. The massive cleanup project, which cost 1.4 billion euros, has made it suitable for Olympic competitions and will now allow Parisians and tourists to take a refreshing dip. Three new swimming sites are opening on Saturday, including one near Notre Dame Cathedral and another near the Eiffel Tower.
The river’s water quality was put to the test during last year’s Olympics, where several athletes fell ill due to bacteria in the water. However, with tests consistently meeting European regulations, Paris authorities have given the green light for public swimming. Lifeguards will be on hand to supervise the first swims.
Parisian sports coach and influencer Lucile Woodward is excited to take part in the first amateur open water competition in the Seine on Sunday morning. “It’s a symbolic moment when we get our river back,” she said. “We’re going to enjoy swimming in it, being there and setting an example.”
However, not everyone is convinced of the safety of swimming in the Seine. Dan Angelescu, founder of Fluidion, a water monitoring tech company, has tested bacterial levels in the Seine and warned that the water quality can be highly variable. “There are only a few days in a swimming season where I would say water quality is acceptable for swimming,” he said.
Despite these concerns, many Parisians are looking forward to taking a dip in the Seine. “It’s an opportunity, a dream come true,” said Clea Montanari, a project manager in Paris. The river will be open for free at scheduled times until the end of August, and lifeguards will keep a watchful eye on those who take the plunge.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/dip-paris-river-seine-reopens-public-swimming-time-123480506