French sports minister swims in River Seine ahead of Paris Olympics

French sports minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra took a dip in the River Seine on Saturday, less than two weeks before the start of the Paris Olympics where triathletes and open water swimmers are to their events in the river.

Wearing a wetsuit, Oudéa-Castéra slightly slipped before entering the water where she swam with French para-triathlete Alexis Hanquinquant.

The event took place close to Pont Alexandre III where the Olympic triathletes will have their swim portion and the open water swim events are also to be held there at the July 26-August 11 Games.

Oudéa-Castéra swam the day after the city said that Seine water quality was good enough to stage the planned Olympic events in six of the last seven days.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo also plans to swim in the Seine on Wednesday, and so reportedly does French President Emmanuel Macron.

Hidalgo had initially wanted to take her dip on June 23 but water quality was not deemed good enough at the time.

Heavy rain in Paris and upstream areas was the main reason for water quality problems.