Emmanuel Macron.Photo:Ludovic Marin/POOL/AFP/Getty
Ludovic Marin/POOL/AFP/Getty
The country plans to use the River Seine for a grand opening ceremony, as well as the site for a number of swimming competitions.
The Parisian river is the fifth-largest in France and winds directly through the heart of the country’s capital city, with dozens of famous bridges arcing over it. Its banks are lined with lively city streets and walkways, and tour boats navigate its bends daily.
Macron, city officials, and the Olympic committee have all claimed swimming in the river is safe.
The River Seine.Andrea Mantovani/Bloomberg/Getty
Andrea Mantovani/Bloomberg/Getty
During a tour of a new Olympic complex in Paris on Thursday, the AP reports that Macron told journalists an “extraordinary” amount of public-funded investments have made the river safe again.
“I’m not going to give you the date: There’s a risk you’ll be there,” he then said, attempting a joke.
Emmanuel Macron.Ludovic Marin/POOL/AFP/Getty
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Last year, the outlet reported that three test events that were scheduled for the river were canceled due to high levels of E.Coli.
source: people.com
