“I know, there are still plenty of skeptical people, who say “gnagnagna, gnagnagna”. So to the “gnagnagna”, I tell them: yes, we are going to swim in the Seine, because we have done what is necessary to make the Seine swimmable. » Less than three months before the launch of the Olympic Games, Anne Hidalgo persists and signs: taking a dip in the capital’s river, where swimming has been prohibited since 1923 for health reasons, will be a “exceptional heritage” games.
The mayor (socialist Paris) of Paris reiterated her optimism, Tuesday April 30, on the occasion of the inauguration of the Georges-Vallerey swimming pool (20e arrondissement), built for the 1924 Games and renovated a century later as part of those of 2024. After two years of work, the pool which hosted the exploits of Johnny Weissmuller has a brand new retractable roof equipped with a new framework and has gained in accessibility.
Reopened to the general public since April 17, the facility will serve during the Olympics as a training location for swimmers (pool and open water) and triathletes. The 10 km open water events, those of the triathlon and paratriathlon must take place in the Seine.
Anne Hidalgo confirmed that she herself would wet the swimsuit – literally – during a “big dive into the Seine in June”. The decor has been revealed: it will be at the level of the Marie arm (4e arrondissement), facing Île Saint-Louis, on the right bank side. One of the three sites which should be authorized for swimming in the summer of 2025, with the port of Bercy (12efacing the BNF) and the arm of Grenelle (15efacing Cygnes Island).
The exact date of this “plunge” is not yet known. “We’re going to take the weather into account, we’re giving ourselves a window to be able to have a plan B, in the event of a big storm on the big day. It’s going to be a great moment, assures the city councilor. I think that once this exercise is done, Parisians will be convinced that the Seine is a river that we take care of. We have been cleaning it for years, sanitizing it, we will have a clean Seine. » And ironically, turning to his deputy for sport and the JOPs: ” Rock [Rabadan] already accomplished the feat last year of jumping into the Seine, he is still alive! »
Emmanuel Macron also plans to put on a swimsuit. Swimming in the Seine? ” And how ! Yes I will go », the president assured journalists at the end of February on the occasion of the inauguration of the Olympic village for the Paris Games. Will we see the president and the mayor of Paris splashing side by side? “I invited him obviously. There will be some nice surprises among those who come to dive with us. We are waiting for this with great impatience. »
In 1988, Jacques Chirac promised to make the river suitable for swimming again. In 1990, he even assured that he would swim there three years later. Without ever keeping his promise. Anne Hidalgo assures her: “Be prepared to say: “Oh yes, she did it.” »