The Seine River is a potential Olympics disaster: ‘It’s insane’

The buzz is palpable from Paris ahead of the 2024 Olympics — although the stench from one concern continues.

Amid the scenery of the iconic city, the staple Seine River has raised alarm based on its safety for Olympic swimmers.

The river, set to host marathon swimming on Aug. 8 and 9 and triathlon events on July 30 and 31, has been thrust in the spotlight due to concerns over water safety quality.

“It’s insane that the IOC and the organization of the Olympics had that idea, and are now pushing to have the opening ceremony and some competitions in the Seine,” an anonymous Parisian environmental department employee told The Sun. “The water is very bad, it’s full of dirt and not proper for any activity. Also, the levels of chemicals, human feces, and other dirty things are very high, so bacteria like E. coli are everywhere.”

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The ongoing anxiety about pollution in the Seine comes on the heels of years-long efforts to improve its water.

Sports Pro Media reported that the French government leveraged $1.5 billion since 2016 — before France officially learned it would host the 2024 Summer Games — in cleaning the river.

High quantities of rain have upped pollution, including dangerous bacteria like E. coli.

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“It’s pretty disappointing that the Olympic organizers have really not locked in cleaning this venue up as far in advance as they should have, to the point where now the whole world is questioning whether it’s going to happen in time,” American swimmer Ivan Puskovitch told USA Today Sports in early July.

The good news, though, is that some landmark progress appears to have been made in terms of the Seine’s Olympic viability.

Paris city hall official Pierre Rabadan told RFI that the Seine’s water quality met necessary standards for the majority of the first few days of July, and there are no anticipated hiccups in logistics.

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“We hope the weather will get a little better, but we are not worried about the possibility of holding the competitions,” Rabadan said. “They will take place.”

Aside from competition, the Seine will serve as one of the most prominent Olympic hallmarks as the destination for Friday’s water-clad opening ceremony, where athletes will be partake in a river parade.

Yet until swimmers actually sink their toes into the Seine water, it seems that uncertainty will persist.

“Hopefully they have it all squared away by the time we get there,” marathoner Katie Grimes said.

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