Olympic Triathlons Make Historic Splash into the Seine Amid Cleanup Success
The Paris 2024 Olympics witnessed a historic moment today as the women’s triathlon made a triumphant debut in the Seine River, marking a significant milestone in the city’s ambitious river cleanup project. At 8:00 a.m. local time, 55 elite female triathletes took the plunge into the Seine just below the iconic Pont Alexandre III, despite recent challenges posed by pollution and inclement weather.
For nearly a century, the Seine has been deemed unsafe for swimming due to severe pollution. Paris invested 1.4 billion euros in a comprehensive cleanup effort aimed at making the river swimmable again by the Olympics. However, recent rainstorms had caused pollution levels to spike, leading to the cancellation of two training sessions and a postponement of the men’s triathlon. Yet, after careful evaluation and testing, race organizers decided to proceed with today’s events.
The women’s triathlon commenced as planned, with fans lining the riverbanks and streets to cheer on the athletes. Despite earlier rain, the weather cleared in time for the race, creating a festive atmosphere as triathletes began their swim. The men’s triathlon, rescheduled to 10:45 a.m., will follow suit.
This landmark event not only celebrates the return of swimming to the Seine but also highlights Paris’s dedication to environmental and public health improvements.
