The Seine River and its struggle to be an Olympic venue in Paris 2024.

The Seine River, one of the most iconic waterways in Europe, has become an unexpected protagonist in the preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Initially proposed as a star setting for the opening ceremony as well as the triathlon and open water swimming competitions, weather conditions and water quality have proven to be significant challenges for organizers. The opening ceremony, held on July 26, showcased the Seine in its splendor, with images broadcast around the world. However, water conditions raised concerns, as the quality of the river deteriorated over several days. Heavy rains that hit the French capital meant that out of the 11 days scheduled for competitions, only five were approved by the relevant international federations. For the remaining days, the water in the Seine did not meet the necessary bacteriological standards to ensure athlete safety. The head of the Organizing Committee, Tony Estanguet, described the situation as "dantesque conditions," highlighting the unexpected complications that the weather posed for the event. Despite the striking image of triathletes jumping from the Alexandre III bridge, the prevailing chaos underscored the fragility of the river as an Olympic venue. This has led many to question the viability of holding open water competitions in an environment affected by climate change. Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris, defended the quality of the Seine's water, asserting that it was decontaminated and that she did not understand the criticism of its condition. However, the reality is that the river was not suitable for swimming during part of the Games. The discrepancy between the authorities' claims and the situation on the ground has sparked a debate about the feasibility of swimming in the Seine during the Olympic event. Pierre Rabadan, Hidalgo's Olympic deputy, admitted that weather conditions worked against them, but he also emphasized that measures were taken to ensure the safety of athletes. Authorities had invested 1.4 billion euros in infrastructure to improve water quality, hoping these measures would be sufficient to avoid the problems experienced during the summer, although nature seems to have other plans. Climate change stands out as one of the most concerning variables in this equation. Experts like climatologist Robert Vautard have pointed out that intense rainfall is part of a climatic pattern that is intensifying due to global warming. With each degree of increase in average temperature, the atmosphere can hold 7% more humidity, which impacts extreme weather phenomena, in turn affecting the water quality of the Seine. As the date of the Olympics approaches, pressure on Paris authorities to ensure a safe and clean environment for athletes intensifies. The promise of being able to swim in the Seine has been a point of pride for the French capital, but reality shows that the challenges are significant and require constant attention. The image of the Seine as a recreational and Olympic space is attractive, but it faces the harsh reality of pollution and weather extremes. This raises questions about the sustainability of using the river as a venue for water sports in the future. Authorities will need to work tirelessly to ensure that the investments made translate into concrete and measurable results. In conclusion, the Seine River, once considered a symbol of elegance and beauty in Paris, now represents a complicated crossroads between Olympic tradition and the modernity of climate change. The Paris 2024 Olympics will not only be a celebration of sport but also a reminder of the challenges modern cities face in their struggle to maintain a balance between development and sustainability.