Paris mayor to swim in Seine ahead of Olympics

By AFP
July 17, 2024
Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo seen in this image. — AFP/file
Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo seen in this image. — AFP/file 

PARIS: The mayor of the French capital Anne Hidalgo is set to take a long-awaited dip in the Seine on Wednesday to demonstrate the river is clean enough to host the outdoor swimming events at the Paris Olympics, her office said.

Despite an investment of 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion) to prevent sewage leaks into the waterway, the Seine has been causing suspense in the run-up to the opening of Paris Games next week after repeatedly failing water quality tests.