Paris is gearing up to host three Olympic swimming events in the iconic Seine River next year. The French capital will also be opening bathing sites to the public in 2025 as part of a major legacy project tied to the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

In a pledge reminiscent of former Mayor Jacques Chirac's vow in 1990, current Mayor Anne Hidalgo aims to make the Seine a clean and accessible river for all. Efforts to clean up the Seine and its tributaries began in 2016 and have seen an investment of €1.4 billion into a "Swimming Plan" to reduce pollution levels considerably.

Despite the positive strides in cleaning the river, some social media users have expressed skepticism. While some are excited at the prospect of being able to swim in the Seine, others raise concerns about the current's speed and water quality. A debate has sparked over whether the river is truly ready for large-scale aquatic events.

With preparations in full swing, Paris continues its journey to revitalize the Seine and offer residents and visitors new opportunities to enjoy the historic river. The efforts to make the Seine swimmable for the Olympics signify a significant step towards achieving this ambitious goal.

By Capucine Licoys and Diana Liu