Swimming in the Seine to be authorised after Paris Olympics
Visit our website:
http://www.france24.com
Like us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/FRANCE24.English
Follow us on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/France24_en
Transcript
00:00 Swimming in the Seine. It's an activity that's currently banned, but which will soon be authorised.
00:06 Among these swimmers are two deputies of Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo.
00:10 Three river bathing areas are to open in the French capital in 2025, several months after
00:16 the end of the Olympic Games.
00:18 "It's really nice to swim there. The water's 22 degrees. The current is fairly weak so
00:23 it's not really a problem. So we think we have all the conditions we need to create
00:27 some great bathing areas."
00:28 City authorities outlawed bathing in the Seine a century ago due to pollution in the
00:35 water, which poses significant health risks. But a 1.4 billion euro clean-up project, which
00:40 began in 2016, is now paying off, according to authorities.
00:45 "We swam a fortnight ago in the Villette pool, but here it's cleaner, there are plants, algae,
00:51 fish, mussels. It's quite clean."
00:58 During the 2024 Olympics, the Seine is set to feature in three events, including the
01:03 triathlon and open-water swimming.
01:06 After the event, bathing zones, equipped with changing and shower areas, will be available
01:10 to residents and tourists alike.