In a splashy public relations move, French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera and Paralympic champion Alexis Hanquinquant dove into the Seine to prove it’s clean enough for upcoming Olympic swimming events.

The high-profile dip near the Alexandre III and Invalides bridges aimed to allay public concern following a series of E.coli scares, despite a costly €1.4bn clean-up campaign. While Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and President Emmanuel Macron have also vowed to take the plunge, recent tests showing acceptable bacteria levels are battling against a murky track record. As the Olympics and Paralympics loom, the river's suitability remains a hot topic, with officials striving to convince everyone that the Seine is safe enough for a gold-medal performance—minus any unexpected belly flops.

Oudea-Castera and Hanquinquant's synchronized swim wasn't just a buoyant display of confidence, but also a test of their immune systems. They braved the waters amid lingering concerns about water quality, prompted by three successive weeks of unsafe E.coli levels from late last month into July. Their courageous stunt was orchestrated to assure athletes and spectators that the Seine is ready to host the triathlon and marathon swimming events during the Olympics and Paralympics.

Although recent tests carried out by Paris authorities have shown acceptable bacteria levels, scepticism remains among the public. The Seine, which snakes through the heart of Paris, has a notorious history of pollution. However, that hasn’t deterred Mayor Anne Hidalgo and President Emmanuel Macron from committing to their own future swan dives into the iconic river — though Hidalgo did have to reschedule her moment of aquatic glory due to snap legislative elections.

Critics might argue that more than €1.4bn and some good intentions are needed to transform the Seine into an Olympic-ready venue. Indeed, the timing of these showcase swims is curious given that only weeks ago, water quality tests indicated bacteria levels high enough to make anyone think twice about practicing their butterfly stroke. However, the organisers are optimistic and determined to polish the river’s grades just in time for the Games.

Joining Oudea-Castera was Alexis Hanquinquant, a seasoned Paralympic triathlon champion. As someone who literally has skin in the game, his willingness to participate didn't just serve as an endorsement of the water quality but also highlighted the spirit of resilience and determination that characterises the athletes set to compete in the events.

The swimming events in question are scheduled to span from July 26 to August 11 for the Olympics, and from August 28 to September 8 for the Paralympics. Located near the picturesque Alexandre III and Invalides bridges, the venues are set against a backdrop that promises stunning views for fans. Given the Olympic Committee's confidence — according to Christophe Dubi, an executive with the International Olympic Committee — all indications are that, come rain or shine, swimmers will be zigzagging across the Seine.

Paris’ efforts to rectify the Seine’s murky past are part of a broader push to present the city as an ideal host for the Olympics. The clean-up project has included several ambitious initiatives, with a significant investment aimed at making the river suitable for swimming events. Yet, even such considerable efforts haven’t completely dispelled concerns about the river’s suitability for these events. You could say the Seine’s reputation still needs a bit of a rinse and repeat!

As the Seine prepares to transform from a leisurely cruise way into an athletic arena, the question remains: will it pass the ultimate test? Paris officials are betting big on it. If the recent demonstration by French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera and Paralympic champion Alexis Hanquinquant is anything to go by, the Seine might just emerge as the champion of its own redemption story, ready to show the world it's clean enough for Olympic events.