BTN News: France had a big celebration on Wednesday. They hosted the swimming part of the triathlon in the Seine River. There were delays and worries about the water, but the event happened without any problems. Thousands of people came to watch from the riverbanks in Paris. Many said the event was “magical” and it was a huge success for the city.
President Emmanuel Macron shared his excitement on X. He said, “We did it!” He talked about the hard work of city, regional, and state authorities. In four years, they made it possible to swim in the Seine. This was something that hadn’t been done in 100 years. Macron said this is a great gift for the people living in the area. They will now be able to swim in the Seine, and it also helps the river’s wildlife.
Pierre Rabadan, the Deputy Mayor of Paris for Sports, called it a “historic” day. He credited the success to the strong political will and teamwork. The next goal is to allow people to swim in the Seine next summer. Rabadan said they need to keep watching the water quality to make sure it’s safe.
In recent years, various public administrations have spent 1.4 billion euros. This money was used to improve the water quality of the Seine. This victory was even sweeter because French athletes won two medals. Cassandra Beaugrand won gold in the women’s triathlon. Léo Bergère won bronze in the men’s event. Mayor Anne Hidalgo praised Beaugrand. She said it was emotional to see her swim in the Seine. Macron called it a “day of glory” and posted a photo of Beaugrand with the golden dome of Les Invalides in the background.
The triathlon route was a beautiful tour of Paris. The swim started at the Pont Alexandre III and passed Pont des Invalides. The cyclists raced by the Grand Palais and along a section of the Champs-Élysées near the Arc de Triomphe. They returned to the left bank of the Seine. The run included four laps mostly on the right bank, finishing in front of Les Invalides.
The triathletes were able to swim after heavy rains caused a temporary drop in water quality. The rain on Friday and Saturday stopped training sessions on Sunday and Monday. This delay also pushed the men’s event to Wednesday. The Seine’s water quality has been a big concern. Last year, the World Cup event was canceled because of poor water conditions after heavy summer rains.
The water quality of the Seine will be watched closely next week too. The river will host the Olympic marathon swimming events. The women’s 10-kilometer race is on August 8, and the men’s race is the next day. The river will also host the swimming part of the paratriathlon events at the Paralympic Games. These events are on September 1 for men and September 2 for women.
Starting in the summer of 2025, people in Paris and visitors will be able to swim in three designated areas of the Seine. This will end a swimming ban that has been in place since 1923. This change is not just about fun and safety. It is also about reconnecting the city with its historic river. This will bring new recreational and ecological benefits to Paris.
