The Journal. The Paris Olympics’ $1.5 Billion Poop Problem
17 snips
Jul 30, 2024 As the Paris Olympics approach, officials face a daunting challenge: the River Seine’s pollution. The men's triathlon was postponed due to dangerously high E. coli levels, sparking concerns over safety. Paris has initiated a massive $1.5 billion cleanup to make the river suitable for swimming. This initiative aims to revitalize the historic waterway, but heavy rainfall complicates efforts. Amid these struggles, the mayor's symbolic swim exemplifies both hope and the urgency of restoring the Seine to its former glory.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Seine's Swimmable Past
- The Seine River was swimmable in the early 20th century, even hosting Olympic swimming events in 1900.
- Swimming clubs existed, and people enjoyed dips in the river on hot days.
Seine's Pollution Problem
- The Seine's pollution worsened with Paris's growth, as sewage overflowed into the river, especially during rain.
- This led to a surge in dangerous bacteria like E. coli, eventually causing a swimming ban in 1923.
Chirac's Unfulfilled Pledge
- Despite modernization efforts in the 1980s, the Seine remained polluted.
- Even Mayor Jacques Chirac's pledge in 1990 to clean it and swim in it went unfulfilled.