Pollution Forces Paris to Scrap Its Plan To Host the Olympic Swimming Event in the Seine River

Paris is preparing to host the 2024 Summer Olympics, which will feature several events that will take place in the Seine River, such as open water swimming, triathlon, and para-triathlon.

However, a recent test event for swimming in the Seine was canceled due to poor water quality, raising concerns about the feasibility and safety of using the river for the Olympics.

What caused the pollution in the Seine?

(Photo : Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

The Seine is a 777 km (483 miles) long river that flows through Paris and into the English Channel. It is a vital source of water, transportation, tourism, and culture for the city and the country, as per Phys.org.

However, it is also heavily polluted by various sources, such as industrial waste, agricultural runoff, sewage overflow, and littering.

The main cause of the pollution that led to the cancellation of the test event was heavy rainfall in July, which increased the amount of runoff and sewage that entered the river.

According to World Aquatics, the international governing body of swimming and water sports, the rainfall caused the water quality to drop below acceptable standards for swimming competitions.

The water had high levels of bacteria, such as E. coli and enterococci, which can cause infections and illnesses in humans.

The organizers of the test event, which was part of the Open Water Swimming World Cup series, decided to cancel it after consulting with the French Swimming Federation (FFN) and public health authorities.

They said that the health of the athletes was their top priority and that they could not guarantee safe and fair conditions for the competition.

Also Read: Bacteria and Chemical Compounds From Coastal Water Pollution Can Reach People via Sea Spray Aerosol Along Beaches, Potentially Causing Complications

What are the implications and solutions for the Olympics?

The cancellation of the test event was a setback for Paris' ambition to make the Seine a centerpiece of the Olympics, as per CNN.

The city has been working hard to clean up the river since 2018 when it announced its plan to host swimming events in it for the first time in history.

The plan was part of a larger vision to revitalize the river and make it more accessible and enjoyable for residents and visitors.

The organizers of Paris 2024 said that they were confident that they could improve the water quality by next year when the Olympics will start.

They said that new infrastructure will be put in place to further treat the water in rainy weather, such as disinfection units at wastewater treatment plants and rainwater storage basins.

They also said that they will monitor the water quality carefully and have contingency measures in case of unfavorable conditions, such as postponing or relocating events.

However, some experts and activists have expressed doubts and criticisms about Paris' plan. They said that cleaning up the Seine is a complex and long-term challenge that requires more than technical solutions.

Addressing the root causes of pollution, such as unsustainable consumption, production, and agriculture, is necessary for the rehabilitation of the river and avoid future issues like this.

Furthermore, more public awareness, participation, and regulation to protect and restore the river's health and required.