The highly anticipated women’s 10km marathon swimming event in the Olympics commenced on Thursday with athletes plunging into the Seine river after water quality tests confirmed safe conditions.
The race, which promises intense competition, saw Brazil’s reigning champion Ana Marcela Cunha and her fierce competitors diving off a platoon near the iconic Alexandre III bridge at 7:30 a.m. (0530 GMT).
Swimmers then embarked on a strenuous journey, racing through a 1.67km loop that they must complete six times between the Alexandre III bridge and the Pont de l’Alma. This marathon event showcases not only the endurance of the athletes but also the scenic beauty of the Seine as it flows through the heart of Paris.
In a recent meeting with stakeholders, Games organizers and World Aquatics confirmed that the latest water quality tests from the Seine were compliant with safety standards. This follows a significant investment by French authorities, who have poured $1.5 billion into upgrading Paris’s sewage systems. Their efforts aim to make the river clean enough for residents to swim in by next summer.
Despite the successful start, the journey to this point has been challenging. Water quality issues plagued earlier events, causing the cancellation of familiarization sessions and postponement of the men’s triathlon by 24 hours. However, a familiarization session for marathon swimming finally went ahead on Wednesday, restoring confidence in the event’s safety.
As marathon swimmers navigate the Seine’s historic waters, the world watches, appreciating both their athletic prowess and the strides made towards a cleaner, swimmable river in Paris.
