Latest news with #publicswimming
The Guardian
6 hours ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Paris reopens River Seine to public swimming after century-long ban
Parisians and tourists flocked to take a dip in the River Seine this weekend after city authorities gave the green light for it to be used for public swimming for the first time in more than a century. The opening followed a comprehensive clean-up programme sped up by its use as a venue in last year's Paris Olympics after people who regularly swam in it illegally lobbied for its transformation. The outgoing mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, also helped to champion the plans, jumping in the river herself before the Olympics. About a thousand swimmers a day will be allowed access to three bathing sites on the banks of the Seine for free, until the end of August. Extensive investments of about €1.4bn (£1.2bn) have been undertaken,including connecting more than 20,000 homes to the sewer system (the waste from which had hitherto been dumped directly into the Seine), improving water treatment facilities, and building substantial rainwater storage reservoirs equivalent in size to 20 Olympic swimming pools, to avoid overflows of sewage during rain storms. Paris's efforts have been in part inspired by, as well as helping to inspire, similar popular projects in cities around Europe where campaigners have fought to reclaim waterways for swimming. Concerns over allowing city dwellers to cool down amid increasing summer temperatures have been at the heart of their arguments. Despite health concerns that affected some Olympic training sessions last summer, as well as the men's triathlon event, races went ahead as planned, helping boost confidence in the public swimming plans. Tourist authorities predict it will become one of the most talked about pastimes of the season and act as a magnet for visitors. The bathing spots are located near to the Eiffel Tower – which is specially focused on swimming for families with small children – the Notre Dame Cathedral and the National library. Lifeguards are present, and changing and shower facilities are also available. Water quality will be tested daily by health authorities, and a flag system will indicate how safe it is to swim. Diving is not permitted, due to the shallowness of the water. In addition to the three Paris sites, 14 bathing spots beyond the city on the Seine and Marne rivers are planned, two of which on the Marne, already opened in June. The French president, Emmanuelle Macron, now has no excuse not to fulfil one of his promises to the electorate – that he too would one day bathe in the Seine when it was possible to do so.
LBCI
a day ago
- Climate
- LBCI
Paris opens river Seine for public swimming for first time since 1923
Parisians rushed for a dip in the Seine on Saturday as authorities opened the river to public swimming for the first time since 1923 after an extensive clean-up operation spurred on by it being used last year as a venue in the Paris Olympics. Three sites along the banks of the Seine in the city will be able to welcome over 1,000 swimmers daily until August 31, local officials said, to the delight of the Parisians and visitors who were among the first to take the plunge. The reopening of the Seine for public swimming follows efforts by authorities to improve its water quality so it could be used for Olympic events last summer. Investments included connecting tens of thousands of homes to the sewer system, upgrading water treatment facilities, and constructing large rainwater storage reservoirs to prevent sewer overflow during heavy storms. Reuters
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Look: Century-long ban on swimming in Paris river lifted; locals rejoice with a dip
Parisians rushed for a dip in the Seine on Saturday as authorities opened the river to public swimming for the first time since 1923 after an extensive clean-up operation spurred on by it being used last year as a venue in the Paris Olympics. Three sites along the banks of the Seine in the city will be able to welcome over 1,000 swimmers daily until August 31, local officials said, to the delight of the Parisians and visitors who were among the first to take the plunge. The reopening of the Seine for public swimming follows efforts by authorities to improve its water quality so it could be used for Olympic events last summer. A few dozen people of all ages arrived ahead of the 8am (0600 GMT) opening of the Bras Marie swimming zone—one of three open in Paris this summer—donning swim caps and goggles as they prepared to dive in and celebrate the long-awaited return of bathing in the Seine. "I thought it would be freezing cold but it's actually great," said Karine, 51, a care worker from southeast of Paris, and one of the first to jump in. Parisians and visitors looking to cool off this summer can take the plunge— weather permitting — under the watchful eye of lifeguards in fluorescent yellow T-shirts at the three bathing sites, including one a stone's throw from the Eiffel Tower. The swimming zones are equipped with changing rooms, showers, and beach-style furniture, offering space for 150 to 300 people to relax, lay out their towels, and unwind from the city's hustle and bustle. Paris officials say they have taken several measures to ensure swimmers can safely enjoy the long-anticipated reopening, including daily water pollution testing and implementing a swim test for bathers. But officials reminded swimmers of potential dangers, including strong currents, boat traffic, and an average depth of 3.5 metres (11 feet). To mitigate that risk, lifeguards will assess visitors' swimming abilities before allowing independent access, while a decree issued in late June introduced fines for anyone swimming outside designated areas. Ahead of the Olympic Games, authorities invested approximately 1.4 billion euros ($1.6 billion) to improve the Seine's water quality. Since then, work carried out upstream promises even better water quality. On rainy days, the mid-19th-century Parisian sewage system often overflows, causing rain and waste waters to pour into the river. Flags will inform bathers about pollution levels in the water every day, and if it rains, the sites will likely close the day after, said Paris city official Pierre Rabadan. The opening comes after the French capital during the week endured a major heatwave that saw Paris put on the weather agency's highest alert level during a Europe-wide heatwave.
Reuters
a day ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Paris opens river Seine for public swimming for first time since 1923
PARIS, July 5 (Reuters) - Parisians rushed for a dip in the Seine on Saturday as the authorities opened the river to public swimming for the first time since 1923 after an extensive clean-up operation spurred on by it being used as a venue in the Paris Olympics. Three sites along the banks of the Seine in the city will be able to welcome over 1,000 swimmers daily until August 31, local officials said. "We're especially happy to have proved the sceptics wrong and to be able to deliver on the commitments we initially made, on something that was very big and very complicated to achieve," said Pierre Rabadan, Paris deputy mayor for the Seine river. The reopening of the Seine for public swimming follows efforts by authorities to improve its water quality so it could be used for Olympic events last summer. Investments included connecting tens of thousands of homes to the sewer system, upgrading water treatment facilities, and constructing large rainwater storage reservoirs to prevent sewer overflow during heavy storms. While delays, triggered by the health impact of heavy rains, impacted some Olympic training sessions and the men's triathlon event, competitions in the Seine eventually went ahead, bolstering confidence in the river's safety for public swimming. Daily water quality tests will be conducted during the swimming season, with green and red flags - similar to beach safety systems - indicating whether swimming areas are open or closed. "Obviously, if we open the swimming area it is because the water complies with the regulations, it poses absolutely no danger to the people who go swimming," Rabadan told Reuters. As well as the three sites within Paris, 14 swimming areas outside the capital's boundaries will be set up on the Seine and the Marne rivers. Two of those already opened on the Marne in June.
