Olympia in Paris - Swimmers can hope: water quality in the Seine has improved
Two weeks before the start of the Olympics, the Paris city authorities are confident that the Seine water quality will be sufficient by then to organize the planned competitions. "We have no doubt that we will be able to hold the competitions on schedule," said Pierre Rabadan, the Paris deputy mayor in charge of the Olympics, to RFI. For eight out of ten days, the Seine water quality has been sufficient in the past.
According to the new water quality analysis presented by the city, which covers the period up to Tuesday, the water quality met the requirements for holding Olympic competitions on six of the last seven measured days. Over 80% of the water analyses were in conformity with the limits.
However, heavy rain – both in Paris itself and at the upper reaches of the river, from where pollutants reached the capital – caused deterioration in water quality. The open water swimming races for female and male swimmers over ten kilometers are scheduled for August 8 (women) and August 9 (men).
Bad Weather Affects Seine Water Quality
The city emphasizes that the unusually wet weather and low temperatures have had a negative impact on water quality. At higher temperatures and a lower water level in the Seine, disease-carrying organisms are broken down more quickly.
According to the latest city analysis, the water volume in the Seine is still more than three times the usual summer volume. This leads to an increased water flow velocity, which could pose a risk for organizing swimming competitions.
Furthermore, a unusually high water level could have effects on the Opening Ceremony of the Games. Around 160 boats are scheduled to transport teams with several thousand athletes on a six-kilometer long stretch of the Seine on July 26. As reported by the newspaper "Le Monde", a small number of boats cannot pass under the bridges on the Seine with high water levels, and corresponding alternative boats would have to be used.
Despite the city's efforts to improve the water quality, the Olympic swimming events in the Seine might still be affected. The high water volume and velocity could pose challenges, as mentioned by Pierre Rabadan, who also pointed out potential issues during the Opening Ceremony due to the unusually high water level. Furthermore, the Olympic Games in Paris might face similar water quality concerns as the ancient Olympia Games, which were held near the River Alpheus, where water quality was often a concern.
