🌟 Splashing into history! Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo took a refreshing dip in the River Seine 🌊 on Wednesday, proving that the iconic river is cleaner than ever ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics. 🏊♀️🇫🇷
Joined by Tony Estanguet, the president of the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee and a former Olympic champion 🥇, Hidalgo showcased the Seine's improved water quality. \"It's cool but not cold at all. We didn't want to go out!\" she exclaimed with a smile. 😊
This swim isn't just a fun publicity stunt—it marks the end of a 100-year ban on bathing in the Seine! 🚫➡️✅ Athletes will soon take the plunge during the Games, with the public invited to join in from next summer. ☀️🏖️
The French government has invested over 1.4 billion euros (about $1.5 billion) 💰 since 2016 to clean up the river, making it safe for swimmers once again. \"Hosting the Olympics has really sped up the process,\" Hidalgo noted. \"When we clean the Seine, we're not just preparing for the Games—we're protecting our rivers for future generations.\" 🌍💙
The Seine will take center stage at the Olympics, hosting the grand opening ceremony on July 26 🎆 and events like the triathlon and marathon swimming. It's not just a river; it's a symbol of Paris embracing the future while honoring its rich history. 🥳🏅
So, who's ready to dive into this new chapter of Parisian life? 🏊♂️✨
Reference(s):
Hidalgo, Estanguet swim in Seine to prove river clean enough for Games
cgtn.com
