The 2024 Paris Olympics are set to take place from July 26 to August 11, featuring 10,500 athletes competing in 329 events. However, the prestigious games are facing a major challenge due to the severe pollution of the Seine River, where marathon swimmers and triathletes will compete. Despite efforts to clean up the river, concerns remain about the safety of athletes.
The Seine River, one of the world's most iconic rivers, has a rich history and has been a source of inspiration for artists and writers. However, it has also been plagued by pollution for decades, with high levels of bacteria and waste making it unsafe for swimming. In fact, swimming has been banned in the Seine for over 100 years.
In preparation for the Olympics, the French government has spent around $1.5 billion (approximately ₹125 billion) on cleaning up the river. This includes the construction of a massive tank to hold excess water during heavy rainfall and storms, which will then be treated and released back into the river. Additionally, sewer pipes along the river have been upgraded to reduce the amount of polluted wastewater entering the river.
Despite these efforts, concerns about the river's safety persist. In fact, just days before the Olympics, a test revealed unsafe levels of bacteria in the river. According to a report by Paris officials, the river was deemed safe for swimming only six out of nine days between June 24 and July 2.
The decision to hold the swimming events in the Seine River will be made by the relevant sports administrations, based on data collected by Paris officials. A meeting will be held each morning at 3:30 am (Paris time) to determine whether the river is safe for competition.
If the river is deemed unsafe, alternative arrangements will be made, including postponing or canceling the swimming portion of the triathlon. However, no official announcement has been made yet, and the two events are still scheduled to take place in the Seine River.
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