As the Paris Olympics approach, concerns grow over the Seine River's water quality, potentially affecting planned swimming events.
Suman Naishadam and Tom Nouvian report for Euronews.
In short:
- Paris has invested €1.4 billion in infrastructure to clean the Seine, but water tests have shown mixed results.
- Heavy rains could push E. coli levels beyond safe limits, leading to potential event cancellations or relocations.
- The French Sports Minister and Paris Mayor have shown confidence in the river’s cleanliness by swimming in it.
Key quote:
"The Seine is not a special case. It really is a complicated and very costly problem."
— Metin Duran, professor of civil and environmental engineering at Villanova University
Why this matters:
The success of the Paris Olympics' swimming events hinges on water quality, impacting both athletes' health and the city's reputation. Ensuring a cleaner Seine has long-term benefits for Parisians and future events.
