“We are confident that we will swim in the Seine this summer” - Paris Olympics 2024 organizers confident of hosting swimming events in Seine

Despite the challenges posed by the recent heavy rain, Paris Olympics 2024 organizers are confident of hosting the swimming events in the River Seine as per plan after a USD 1.5 billion investment to improve the water quality.

In 2023, swimming test events were canceled due to poor water quality in the Seine. The major reason was heavy rains overwhelming the city’s old sewers, causing a mix of rainwater and untreated wastewater to flow into the Seine, causing river pollution.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Director Christophe Dubi discussed with the city officials and Paris Olympics 2024 organizers and stated in an online briefing that there are no reasons to doubt.

“No reasons to doubt. We are confident that we will swim in the Seine this summer,” IOC Executive Director Christophe Dubi said at an online briefing.

It’s important to note that marathon swimmers and triathletes are scheduled to compete in the cleaned-up waters in the Seine in the forthcoming Summer Games from July 26.

Furthermore, water will be tested at 3 AM each day during the Olympics to determine whether events can go as planned. Organizers said that if results were not up to the standards, events could be delayed by a few days.

Additionally, to show the citizens and visiting athletes that all is well, French President Emmanuel Macron and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo have promised to take a dip in the Seine ahead of the Paris Olympics.

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A huge water storage basin was inaugurated in May to clean up the Seine for the Paris Olympics 2024

In May 2024, French officials inaugurated a huge water storage basin, which can help clean up the River Seine. The huge reservoir next to Austerlitz train station collects excess rainwater and prevents bacteria-laden waste from entering the river.

It’s worth noting that the basin can hold the equivalent of 20 Olympic swimming pools of dirty water that will now be treated.

However, the organizers also have yet to be lucky with the weather so far this summer. Dubi acknowledged that the downpours have complicated the issue, though said the update Thursday was "very reassuring."