Paris 2024: Will the River Seine be Olympic-ready? • FRANCE 24 English

In this week's show we take a deep dive into the Seine, to find out how Paris's river is preparing for the 2024 Olympics. We see how authorities are racing against time to boost security, curb pollution and keep visitors entertained. With just a few weeks to go before the opening ceremony, one question remains: will the Seine actually be swimmable?  

[casksj]

I was in Paris three weeks ago and let’s just say I wouldn’t want to swim in the Seine.

[galaxypanda]

Even though the river likely isn't going to be ready to swim in its important to remember that by having this goal significantly increased efforts to actually clean the river.

[WSEDT-remn]

They better put these two new retention basins into action quickly! They'll also have to pump clean water into the river daily if they want to meet this deadline!

[pathallam]

It only looks grey & unappealing because the river traffic churns up the river bed. During Covid lockdown when there was no traffic, the sediment sank to the bottom & you could see clear down for metres. Beautiful blue and green on sunny days.
And it can't be that bad because fish do live in the Seine, and swans to eat them.

[rocky]

So that whole river will be polluted one day and then magically clean the whole river by the next day……..? Right…..

[BlackSwan-qjqs]

what, sewage was just dumped in the river before?

[tootifrooti]

To build confidence, olympic officials should swim and drink the water.

[anode-cathode]

Did anyone else noticed she said 2025?

[chloebrower]

I really hope they come up with a plan B in case it’s not clean in time because while swimming in the Seine would be cool, it’s not worth risking the health of the athletes coming to compete.

[stephengneri]

so no one remembers the story of Katherine Hepburn? who fell in the water in Venice and had a life long eye problem. Its foolish to not be cautious about this.

[jeanwong]

That river been filthy for over a century. They think it can be clean up in 10 years? Good luck!

[vincesiy]

It is impossible to get it ready in time for the olympics. Hopefully they do get it ready in 2025 which is their stated goal for their citizens to be able to freely swim in any time they want.

[wenpai]

Just came back from Paris trip, I wouldn’t even put my feet in the Seines river for a second !

[aidenashmond]

What a beautiful cover! Truly enchanting

[stacyb-r]

NOW hooked up to the city's sewage system. So prior? What in the...

[jeffmeyer]

Paris is a beautiful city, but it is so artificial. I wish they would welcome back a bit of nature to the banks of the river. Imagine walking down a sandy beach into the clean fresh waters of the Seine, with clumps of willows on its baks and the Eiffel tower or Notre Dame to gaze upon?

[krsmovie]

The river has been polluted for ages and you want to clean it in such a short time? This is dumb af

[Siranoxz]

This doesn't encourage any guaranteed safety.

[vashantir]

What is plan B? OBVIOUSLY the Seine won't be ready.

[PripurnanandaGiri-dlgf]

Congratulations.
OLYMPIC GAMES PARIS 2024.