Thousands of French citizens hoping to make a powerful statement by pooping in the River Seine had their plans dashed as President Emmanuel Macron and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo announced the cancellation of their swim in the iconic river. The officials cited "political reasons" for the sudden change of plans, leaving many disappointed and frustrated.

Amid concerns of a significant contamination event, speculations emerged that the decision to cancel the swim was influenced by online discussions and plans centered around precisely depositing fecal matter in the river just as Macron and Hidalgo were scheduled to take the plunge at noon on Sunday. The thought of this appalling act, aimed at hitting the politicians directly, seems to have prompted the decision, although officials remained tight-lipped on the matter, merely hinting that the swim may happen "eventually."

Citizens are expressing their anger over the exorbitant amount of money being spent to clean up the polluted Seine, especially considering its intended use as the open-water swimming venue for the upcoming Olympics in Paris. The river, which has been connected to the Paris sewerage system for over a century, has been deemed unsuitable for swimming. In an effort to showcase the river's transformation by 2024, organizers have embarked on an extensive cleanup campaign costing over 1 billion euros. However, recent scientific tests indicate that progress has been minimal, with the river still contaminated by human waste, trash, and debris.

Protesters saw an opportunity to draw attention to the river's inadequate cleanliness when Macron and Hidalgo announced their plan to swim in the Seine. Plans quickly spread online for a mass event involving precise mapping and calculations of water flow, aiming to strategically deposit waste to make contact with the politicians during their swim. However, hopes for this event were crushed when officials moved to cancel the swim entirely.

The Seine still poses significant health risks, with elevated bacteria levels capable of causing illness in athletes spending prolonged periods in the water. With the Olympics scheduled to begin on July 30, officials now face a race against time to meet water quality standards. Given the extensive pollution that remains, achieving the required cleanliness by the deadline seems like an almost impossible feat.

The cancellation of the swim has averted a potentially hazardous situation, as the act of contaminating the river further would have exacerbated the challenges faced by officials. Concerns for the health and safety of athletes and citizens alike add urgency to the task of restoring the Seine's water quality, emphasizing the arduous nature of the cleanup efforts ahead.

As the Paris Olympics draw closer, all eyes are on the Seine, hoping that the necessary measures will be taken to transform the once-polluted river into a suitable venue for open-water swimming.