French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera made a symbolic swim in the River Seine on Saturday to demonstrate its readiness for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The event, covered by USA Today, aimed to reassure about water quality for planned swimming events.
Oudea-Castera's brief swim near the Alexandre III and Invalides bridges, captured by BFM TV, is part of a broader campaign to showcase the Seine's suitability for Olympic competitions. The river is set to host triathlon and marathon swimming events during the games scheduled from July 26 to August 11, 2024.
However, despite the minister's confidence, some US swimmers have voiced reservations about the clean-up efforts. Their concerns have sparked speculation about whether the events will proceed in the Seine as planned.
* Israel Hayom contributed to this report