In a bold PR dive, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo swam in the Seine near Notre Dame to flaunt the river’s cleanliness for the 2024 Olympics, despite lingering E. coli concerns and Macron's no-show.

Joined by former Olympic canoeist Tony Estanguet and buoyed by a $1.5 billion investment in river cleanliness, Hidalgo's swim aimed to reassure the public about the Seine's water quality for upcoming Olympic events. While the symbolic dip was meant to highlight significant improvements, recent E. coli tests and social media backlash under the hashtag 'JeChieDansLaSeine' suggest that not everyone is convinced about taking the plunge.

Mayor Hidalgo's ambitious swim took place on a sunny Wednesday, with the historical Notre Dame Cathedral providing a picturesque backdrop. Tony Estanguet, the president of the Paris Olympics organizing committee and a former Olympic canoeist, joined Hidalgo in the water, adding prestige and an athletic touch to the initiative. Esteanguet might have pondered jumping into the Seine a bit more than Hidalgo, given the centuries-old ban on swimming due to pollution.

Expected to join the aquatic parade, President Emmanuel Macron was notably absent, leaving Mayor Hidalgo and Estanguet to brave the waters alone. The swim was part of a greater endeavor to demonstrate the improved cleanliness of the Seine, a river that has been off-limits to swimmers for over a century due to pollution.

Yet, even in the face of well-publicized contamination, Hidalgo maintained her stride—both literally and figuratively. Her plunge was postponed from June due to high bacteria levels and a snap election in France, but nothing could deter her commitment to proving the river's gradual revival.

The Seine is set to host several Olympic swimming events, including the triathlon and marathon swimming legs. This places extra pressure on ensuring that the river meets stringent safety standards. To that end, a $1.5 billion investment has been poured into projects aimed at decontaminating the Seine, including the construction of an underground rainwater storage tank and comprehensive sewer infrastructure renovations. All of this effort might make the Seine cleaner than some athletes' diets!

Despite these substantial investments, concerns over water quality persist. Recent tests revealed elevated levels of E. coli bacteria, which pose significant health risks to swimmers. While city officials race against the clock to ensure the river's cleanliness, they might want to consider adding 'Swim at your own risk' signs as a backup—isn't preparation everything?

Adding to the river's woes, heavy rainfall can cause sewage overflow into the Seine, further complicating efforts to maintain a sanitary environment. Citizens have expressed skepticism about the river's fitness, with some taking to social media under the hashtag 'JeChieDansLaSeine' to protest their dissatisfaction humorously but pointedly.

In light of these challenges, Hidalgo's swim was more than a casual dip—it was a bold declaration of progress in the face of adversity. Sporting a smile, she remarked that the water was 'very cool and very nice,' a sentiment echoed by Estanguet, who lauded the event as a milestone in demonstrating the city's readiness for the games.

This isn't the first time a French leader has promised to rejuvenate the Seine. Former President Jacques Chirac made similar vows, yet the river's murky waters remained uninviting. Hidalgo’s efforts, however, are buoyed by substantial financial backing and a ticking Olympic clock, making her attempt more urgent.

For the sports enthusiasts eyeing the Olympic games, there's a mix of anticipation and apprehension. France's Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra also took a dip in the Seine just days before Hidalgo, further underlining the administration's commitment to this watery revival project.

While the mayor’s swim is a symbolic step forward, the next few months will be crucial in turning symbolism into tangible safety. As the city races against time and nature, only consistent testing and rigorous intervention can ensure the Seine is genuinely Eau-limpic ready by 2024.