"Swimmers Welcome New Era as River Seine Reopens After Century of Restrictions"

"Swimmers in Paris can now enjoy the River Seine after its reopening, a significant milestone linked to the Paris 2024 Olympics. This development reflects the city's commitment to improving water quality over the past two decades, allowing for designated swimming areas near iconic landmarks."

The River Seine in Paris has officially reopened for public swimming for the first time since 1923, ending a long-standing ban that lasted nearly a century due to concerns about pollution. This significant change is celebrated as part of the legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympics, during which the Seine will serve as a venue for open water swimming and triathlons.

On a recent Saturday morning at 08:00 local time, eager swimmers gathered at designated areas, ready to dive into the newly cleaned waters. Three specific sites have been designated for public swimming: one near the iconic Eiffel Tower, another adjacent to the historic Notre Dame Cathedral, and a third located in the eastern part of Paris. Each site is equipped with changing rooms, showers, and beach-style furnishings, accommodating as many as 300 people who wish to enjoy the summer sun and swim.

For the duration of the swimming season, which runs until the end of August, these areas will be open free of charge at designated times to swimmers aged 10 or older, with an emphasis on safety through the presence of lifeguards at all locations.

The long-awaited promise to reinstate swimming in the Seine traces back to 1988 when former Paris mayor Jacques Chirac, who later became president of France, voiced the need for change. Over the last two decades, efforts to clean the river have dramatically reduced levels of fecal bacteria, addressing the initial health hazards that prompted the ban.

In preparation for the 2024 Olympics, over €1.4 billion (approximately £1.2 billion or $1.6 billion) has been invested in cleaning the Seine. However, as the event approaches, concerns arose regarding the river's water quality, particularly when it was reported that recent rainfall had led to increased pollution levels, potentially affecting athletes' training schedules.

To assure citizens and visitors alike about the safety of swimming in the river, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and members of the Olympic committee took a plunge into the Seine last summer, demonstrating confidence in the river's water quality. The reopening of the Seine not only highlights improvements in urban infrastructure and environmental awareness but also heralds a new leisure era for Parisians and tourists to enjoy this historic waterway.