French President Emmanuel Macron Promises to Swim in Seine River to Prove It’s Clean Enough for Olympics

Macron made the half-hearted promise before sheepishly walking it back: "I’m not going to give you the date," he says

French President Emmanuel Macron promised Thursday — then sheepishly played down his promise — to swim in the Seine River in order to prove it’s safe for the upcoming 2024 Summer Games.

Macron, 46, made the half-promise as he looked to assure the world that France’s plan to have Olympic swimmers compete in the River Seine at this year’s upcoming Summer Games was a safe and sanitary idea, the Associated Press reported.

The country plans to use the River Seine for a grand opening ceremony, as well as the site for a number of swimming competitions.

The Parisian river is the fifth-largest in France and winds directly through the heart of the country’s capital city, with dozens of famous bridges arcing over it. Its banks are lined with lively city streets and walkways, and tour boats navigate its bends daily. 

However, the river’s water quality has long been an issue. Specifically, the dangerous amounts of sewage that flow into it through its 19th-century sewer network.Swimming in the river has been mostly banned in Paris since 1923, according to the Associated Press. But France has planned to use its cityscape, including the river, to host several events throughout the upcoming 2024 Summer Games.

Macron, city officials, and the Olympic committee have all claimed swimming in the riv -

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er is safe.

During a tour of a new Olympic complex in Paris on Thursday, the AP reports that Macron told journalists an “extraordinary” amount of public-funded investments have made the river safe again.

Macron was then challenged by a reporter, who asked if he would swim in the Seine himself. “Me, yes, I’ll go,” Macron reportedly said before backpedaling slightly.

“I’m not going to give you the date: There’s a risk you’ll be there,” he then said, attempting a joke.

The Paris Games are set to take place from July 26 through Aug. 11, with the Paralympic Games happening from Aug. 28 until Sept. 8.

According to France 24, Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo has also promised to swim in the river at some point before the 2024 Summer Games.

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The country is planning to use the River Seine for open-water swimming competitions as well as the Summer Games’ triathlon competition. France has spent roughly $1.5 billion on upgrading sewage and storm water treatment facilities along the river in order to clean up the river’s waterways, according to the outlet.

Last year, the outlet reported that three test events that were scheduled for the river were canceled due to high levels of E.Coli.

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