(AmericanProsperity.com) – Olympic triathletes were able to get into the Seine River after organizers declared the water in Paris to be safe for swimming. This was following concerns about pollution in the water due to heavy rains last week.
The women jumped off into the water near the majestic Pont Alexandre III with the males following three hours later. The decision to continue on with the competition was a big deal for the city, athletes, and the organizers. Officials took heavy measures and a one billion euro plan to clean up the river for the Olympic athletes.
After multiple days of uncertainty, the organizers stated that the tests showed the water was in compliance for them to continue the competition. Chief Paris Games organizer Tony Estanguet said “It’s magic. It’s a very important legacy for Parisians to be able to swim from next year in the Seine.”
The waterway in question hasn’t been swimmable and has been off-limits for almost one hundred years. “Thanks to a massive investment … we have achieved in just 4 years what was impossible for 100 years: the Seine is now swimmable,” French President Emmanuel Macron said.
The triathlon ended with Cassandre Beaugrand of France winning the gold medal. Julie Derron of Switzerland took silver and Beth Potter of Britain got the bronze medal. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said, “How special to see her swimming in the Seine, thank you for making us so proud!”
Some Olympic athletes have said that they were unsure if the conditions were truly okay, but that they will find out eventually if it was truly safe or not.
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