JAKARTA - A resident of Paris, France flocked to swim in the cinema River on Saturday when authorities opened the river for the first time since 1923, after extensive cleaning operations sparked by its use last year as the location for the Paris Olympics.
Three locations along the banks of the Seine River in the city will be able to accommodate more than 1,000 swimmers daily through August 31, local officials said, which Parisians and visitors were warmly welcomed and were among the first to swim.
"It was great, I was surprised," said Victoria Cnop (24), a Brazilian living in Paris, as reported by Reuters on July 10.
"I never imagined being in the water near the Eiffel Tower," he continued.
The reopening of the Senine River for public swimming follows the authorities' efforts to improve the quality of the water so that it can be used for last summer's Olympics.
"The water is clean, warm, and clear. There is a little bit of progress, but that's normal," said another resident named Karine (51).
"Come on everyone, this is great!" he exclaimed.
Investments carried out include connecting tens of thousands of houses to the waste disposal system, improving water treatment facilities, and building large rainwater storage reservoirs to prevent overflows of wastewater during major storms.
Despite the delays, triggered by the health impacts of heavy rains, impacted several Olympic training sessions and the men's triathlon, competitions in the Seine River have finally continued, increasing confidence in river safety for public swimming.
Daily water quality tests will be carried out during the swimming season, with green and red flags - similar to the coastal safety system - which shows whether the swimming area is opened or closed.
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"It's amazing," said John Drummond, a 54-year-old visitor from Canada.
"This is good for the environment, good for the city, good for the people here. So, very good initiative," he added.
In addition to three locations in Paris, 14 swimming areas beyond the capital will be built on the Rivers of Senine and Marne. Two of them were opened on the Marne River in June.
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