Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s attempt to prove the Seine’s safety by swimming in it backfired when tests on the same day revealed unsafe bacterial levels.

This issue has now led to the cancellation of Olympic triathlon swimming training for two consecutive days, as the river was deemed unsafe.

For months, there has been a debate over whether the Seine could be cleaned in time for the Paris Olympics.

Despite repeated tests showing dangerous levels of E.coli and other bacteria, French politicians have taken televised swims to assert the river’s safety. Paris officials frequently blame rainfall for the poor water quality but remain “optimistic” about meeting the Olympic standards.

Historically, the Seine was a popular swimming spot and even hosted events during the 1900 Olympics. However, swimming was banned in 1923 due to boat traffic and pollution.

Over the years, the river’s condition worsened, becoming heavily polluted and affecting aquatic life. It also became a dumping ground for rubbish and untreated wastewater.

In 2015, Paris launched a €1.4 billion project to clean the Seine in time for the Olympics. This initiative included constructing a giant basin to capture excess rainwater, renovating sewer infrastructure, and upgrading wastewater treatment plants.

Despite these efforts, recent tests suggest that the Seine may still not be ready to host Olympic athletes.

#MaltaDaily