“Seine Is Not Made for Swimming”: Fresh Controversy Brews As Olympic Champion Calls Out Authorities Amidst Weather Horrors

Swimming demands perfection, with water quality crucial for athletes’ health and careers. Poor water conditions pose major risks. With just five months before the Olympics, concerns have erupted for not only the Seine water conditions but also the increasing temperatures in the French capital.

Due to the increase in global warming, heat waves have spread across the country, raising temperatures by 20 degrees Fahrenheit more than normal. These heat waves are a concern for authorities as they could jeopardize athletes’ well-being. Amidst weather and water quality issues, Brazilian swimmer Ana Marcela Cunha called out Olympic authorities to address the Seine water quality for this year’s Olympics. She claimed the water quality is not suitable for swimming, urging authorities to devise a ‘Plan B’ as soon as possible.

The swimmer’s concern for Seine

The Seine is accused of its poor water quality in many incidents. The most recent one was in August when the swimming test events were cancelled due to the poor quality of the water. Brazilian swimmer Ana Marcela Cunha has now demanded changes when the authorities answered her with, “There is no plan B”. During an interview, the swimmer told the AFP, “It’s a concern.” The athlete has taken the initial step to raise questions and urge authorities to bring changes to the water quality in the swimming events. Such issues can cause career-threatening challenges to the athletes, and their whole well-being stays at risk. 

“There was no test event last year because of this but (the organisers) insist on wanting the events to take place there. We need a plan B in case it’s not possible to swim in the Seine,” the swimmer added to her display of concern regarding the water quality problems in the swimming venue in Paris. 

She even stated, “The Seine is not made for swimming.” The athlete continued, “It’s not a question of erasing the history of the Seine.” With the opening ceremony approaching in less than 5 months, the river quality issues are presenting themselves as a major setback. With the rise in awareness among the swimmers, the authorities remain pressurized to take steps as soon as possible.

Authorities are concerned about river Seine 

In response to the decreasing water quality of the river Seine, the government has spent a massive amount of 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion) to upgrade the sewage system and water treatment in Paris. These water systems connect to the Seine, so expectations were to sort out the concern with this decision.

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Before Ana Marcela Cunha raised the concern about Siena hosting the swimming competition, a lot of other athletes expressed their views too. Australian marathon swimmer Chelsea Gubecka also expressed her discontent with the water quality. However, the analyses conducted by the government failed to match the standards laid down and the action made no difference.