Olympic Games 2024: The swimmers found the water clear and pleasant today
After the controversies concerning the pollution of the Seine, the 10 km open water swimmers of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games found the water clear and pleasant this Thursday morning.
Clear, tasteless water
Despite recent concerns about the water quality of the Seine, the 24 participants in the 10 km open water event expressed their satisfaction after the race. Anne Hidalgo, mayor of Paris, was present at the Pont Alexandre III to attend the competition and support the efforts made to make the river swimmable.
Monegasque Lisa Pou, who finished 18th, noted that she had only encountered a few plants on the boats: “For the moment, so good. We will see tomorrow and the next few days. » She, like many of her competitors, had scratches on her arms, testifying to a fight against vegetation during the race.
Plants but no pollution
Caroline Jouisse, one of the French participants, found the water completely normal: “It was fine. It was controversial, but it was also controversial in Tokyo and Rio. We've swum in much worse places and we were doing just fine. » However, she noted the presence of brambles near the floating garden, which made the race technical and difficult.
Océane Cassignol, who finished seventh, added: “Sticking the bank, taking the brambles at the level of the garden which was on the course, it was difficult, very technical, we went along, we stuck as much as possible, we hit each other wall, it was difficult for more than two hours. » But, she stressed that the quality of the water was not a problem: “The quality of the water was frankly perfect. Even to the taste there was no smell. »
An ideal temperature
The swimmer also mentioned that the water was at an ideal temperature of 23 degrees: “It was very good, I even felt hot. »
Hungarian Bettina Fabian, fifth in the race, confirmed this positive impression: “The water was clear but I swallowed a lot of water and I have to fertilize it with alcohol. It tasted like a lake. »
Alice Leroy
