Search
shop

Olympic Games Triathlon: Paris mayor takes the plunge with Seine swim to prove cleanliness

Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo and Paris 2024 chief Tony Estanguet went for a swim in the River Seine on Wednesday after their promise to test the water was postponed last month.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo took a dip in the River Seine on Wednesday, a month after her planned first attempt was called off due to the French elections, to prove the suitability of the waterway ahead of the Olympic Games.

Joined by Paris 2024 chief Tony Estanguet and a senior civil servant, the trio followed in the footsteps of sports minister Amelie Oudea Castera, who took the plunge earlier this week.

With the Olympic Games starting next week, there are still question marks surrounding the Seine’s water quality, ones which elite triathletes in particular will be anxious to have answered before the first event on Tuesday July 30.

Taking the plunge

Having made the promise to swim in the Seine some time ago, Hidalgo had planned to take a dip on June 23rd, but was forced to postpone her plans after President Emmanuel Macron called a snap election.

Four weeks later, she was joined by Estanguet, and donning a wetsuit and a pair of goggles, swam near the Pont Alexandre III bridge, which is where the triathlon and marathon swimming events will take place later this month.

President Macron, who had previously pledged to join Hidalgo, is yet to test out the water himself, but was back in the French capital after attending the NATO Summit in Washington D.C last week.

Sceptics still surfacing

Despite the best efforts of the organising committee to reassure everyone that the Seine’s water quality problems are under control, there is still plenty of unease amongst the French general public and the triathletes who are set to compete.

Bet Potter Paris Test Event 2023 swim

Less than 12 months ago, the paratriathlon events at the Paris Test Event were impacted by the issue, as was the mixed team relay, with the swim cancelled and the race changed to a duathlon.

The French government have invested a reported €1.4bn (£1.18bn) into the clean-up operation in the build up to the Games, but if there are heavy periods of rain, the pollution could still spike to similar levels recorded earlier in the year.

If the water quality is deemed to be unsafe at the end of this month in Paris – and it can’t be rescheduled a few days later – then the triathlons will become duathlons.

Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
TRI247 podcast
What is it really like to be a professional triathlete? NEW TRI247 x Challenge Family podcast takes you beyond the start lines this race season
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Let’s race… French Riviera T100
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
Gustav Iden aero position body rocket
How to get better at holding your time trial position – Expert tips from former PRO time trial cyclist Alex Dowsett
latest News
Oliver Conway World Triathlon Cuo win Saidia 2025
Breakthrough World Cup win – and Brownlee Racing spot – in memorable week for British youngster
Lionel Sanders wins 70.3 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
Triathlon superstar Lionel Sanders moving again but taking it step by step in injury battle
Magnus Ditlev - T100 San Francisco 2024 run
“I lost it mentally” – Magnus Ditlev reveals why he was shown red card at IRONMAN Frankfurt
Marjolaine Pierre World Long Distance Triathlon win 2025
World Triathlon Long-Distance Championships 2025 results: Pierre and Benito add second wins
Kristian Blummenfelt wins IRONMAN Frankfurt 2025
IRONMAN Frankfurt 2025 results: Blummenfelt defends title on drama-packed day
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...