PARIS.- A 76-year-old American swimmer took a dip Thursday in the Seine riverbraving turbulent waters in central Paris to celebrate July 4 and highlight the French government’s efforts to clean up the river with a view to the Olympic Games.
It was timely: Hours later, regional officials provided data showing that water quality in the river has improved over the past week, raising hopes that it can host Olympic swimming events regardless.
Joel Stratte McClure, whose last swim in the Seine River was in 1976 for a magazine cover, said he was amazed by the progress in cleaning up the river but still worried about his safety.
“I may regret having swum,” McClure said before entering the water. “But if I come back alive, it will be proof that the French have done a good job of cleaning up the river.”
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo initially planned to swim in the Seine last month to check its cleanliness – prompting an online campaign by many critics who threatened to relieve themselves in the river on the day she swims.
But she postponed her swim after President Emmanuel Macron announced early legislative elections that have plunged France into political tensions and overshadowed pre-Olympic excitement for many. Heavy rains in recent months have also meant faster currents than usual for this time of year, and Hidalgo said she will instead swim the river in mid-July.
“I think the president called a new election to stop me from swimming in the Seine,” McClure joked.
After a short swim, he declared the water “fantastic” and said he hopes others will follow his lead and take advantage of a cleaner river.
Open water swimming and triathlon are scheduled to take place on the river near the Pont Alexandre III during the Olympic Games, which will take place from July 26 to August 11, and the Paralympic Games, which will take place from August 28 to September 8.
Considerable risk:
Dangerous levels of E. coli were found in the river last week for the third week in a row. But on Thursday, regional authorities presented results showing an improvement.
Test results from monitoring group Eau de Paris show that every day except one from June 26 to July 2, pollution levels have been below the safe limit of 900 colony-forming units per 100 millilitres set by the World Triathlon Federation for competitions.
French officials remain optimistic and insist there is no plan B for the Olympic open water swimming events.
Source: AP
