Is it too early to talk about the Olympics?

[cattledogkisses]

France invested $1.6 billion to clean up the Seine for the Olympics next year. Swimming in the Seine has been banned since 1923. 


Paris to bring back swimming in Seine after 100 years

With a year to go to the Olympics, Paris is in the final phase of a historic clean-up which will soon see swimmers and divers back in the River Seine.

Banned for a century because of the filthy water, city swimming is set to be one of the major legacies of the Games thanks to a €1.4bn (£1.2bn; $1.6bn) regeneration project universally hailed as a success.

Not only are three Olympic and Paralympic events - triathlon, marathon swimming and Para-triathlon - scheduled to take place in the Seine in central Paris, but by 2025 three open-air swimming areas will be accessible from the quayside.

"When people see athletes swimming in the Seine with no health problems, they'll be confident themselves to start going back in the Seine," predicts Pierre Rabadan, deputy Paris mayor in charge of the Olympics. "It's our contribution for the future."

www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66238618

[Velar Fricative]

Um what kind of question is that? IT IS NEVER TOO EARLY TO TALK ABOUT THE OLYMPICS.

[cattledogkisses]

Jul 25, 2023 12:46:42 GMT -5 Velar Fricative said:

Um what kind of question is that? IT IS NEVER TOO EARLY TO TALK ABOUT THE OLYMPICS.

I knew I could count on you!

[wawa]

Love to see it.

Especially since other venues have just had the triathletes swim through some nasty ass stank water. *cough*tokyo*cough*

I mean, it's not unusual in the sport. I swam in the channel behind Atlantic City for a race (cool race i guess, but NEVER FUCKING AGAIN. ew. They had showers for us as we came out of the water.) The tri that used to go off in DC had to cancel the swim regularly because the potomac was nasty. My second tri ever becasme a duathlon because the water (a little local lake full of suburban lawn runoff) was too nasty after a lot of recent rain, and it's an issue that plagues that venue every year. The ENTIRE chesapeake bay isn't recommended for swimming anytime there's been more than an inch of rain. It's...you know...a pervasive problem. But still, yay Paris for actually addressing it!

[Susie]

I'm a once and future open water swimmer and triathlete and I love the idea of being able to safely conduct a race in the waterways of a major city!

This is so much better than all the temporary structures and venues that have been erected for previous Olympic Games.  I'm so here for this.

[Velar Fricative]

Also as much as I love the Olympics I know the IOC is shit and I'm really happy to see more sustainable options for the Games that benefit residents and visitors for years to come.

[calamity]

I am SO jazzed for the Olympics and it's great they are doing this.

[formerlyak]

My brain is already in 2028 Olympic mode because it’s in my city and we are hoping to go to some events!!

[notreal]

I like the Summer Olympics because that's the time the whole world remembers how awesome Katie Ledecky is.

[Velar Fricative]

Jul 25, 2023 15:08:04 GMT -5 notreal said:

I like the Summer Olympics because that's the time the whole world remembers how awesome Katie Ledecky is.

They don’t have to forget, she’s competing at Worlds happening this week!

[madringal]

I can talk about Olympic swimming for literally days! We already have our tickets to the Olympic swim trials and I cannot freaking wait!!

[konapoppy]

They totally changed up the ticketing this year and it has been pretty interesting. They let everyone worldwide sign up for the same lottery. Previously there were agencies who had the tickets for specific regions and would do their own approach.

[wise_rita]

Jul 25, 2023 14:32:30 GMT -5 formerlyak said:

My brain is already in 2028 Olympic mode because it’s in my city and we are hoping to go to some events!!

I'm here for 2032!

[basilosaurus]

Please tell me they didn't make athletes swim in the Thames!

[mrsukyankee]

Jul 25, 2023 20:10:20 GMT -5 basilosaurus said:

Please tell me they didn't make athletes swim in the Thames!

No. At Hyde Park in the Serpentine.

[imimahoney]

I was just in Paris and the Seine looked disgusting. So much trash on the banks, under bridges, near street crossings, etc. I did see divers in gear swimming in it taking water samples and throwing away debris but 🤢.

[icedcoffee]

Jul 25, 2023 13:03:03 GMT -5 wawa said:

Love to see it.

Especially since other venues have just had the triathletes swim through some nasty ass stank water. *cough*tokyo*cough*

I mean, it's not unusual in the sport. I swam in the channel behind Atlantic City for a race (cool race i guess, but NEVER FUCKING AGAIN. ew. They had showers for us as we came out of the water.) The tri that used to go off in DC had to cancel the swim regularly because the potomac was nasty. My second tri ever becasme a duathlon because the water (a little local lake full of suburban lawn runoff) was too nasty after a lot of recent rain, and it's an issue that plagues that venue every year. The ENTIRE chesapeake bay isn't recommended for swimming anytime there's been more than an inch of rain. It's...you know...a pervasive problem. But still, yay Paris for actually addressing it!

I just heard on the news recently that the the Anacostia has been reopened for swimming for the first time in like 50 years.  Not sure I WANT to, but....it's there.

[msmerymac]

Jul 25, 2023 12:46:42 GMT -5 Velar Fricative said:

Um what kind of question is that? IT IS NEVER TOO EARLY TO TALK ABOUT THE OLYMPICS.

I did a double take when I saw that the person who started this thread wasn't you.

[msmerymac]

Jul 25, 2023 14:32:30 GMT -5 formerlyak said:

My brain is already in 2028 Olympic mode because it’s in my city and we are hoping to go to some events!!

H and I are planning on going!

[minzy]

Jul 26, 2023 15:42:52 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

Jul 25, 2023 12:46:42 GMT -5 Velar Fricative said:

Um what kind of question is that? IT IS NEVER TOO EARLY TO TALK ABOUT THE OLYMPICS.

I did a double take when I saw that the person who started this thread wasn't you.

Same!

[notreal]

Jul 25, 2023 15:43:40 GMT -5 Velar Fricative said:

Jul 25, 2023 15:08:04 GMT -5 notreal said:

I like the Summer Olympics because that's the time the whole world remembers how awesome Katie Ledecky is.

They don’t have to forget, she’s competing at Worlds happening this week!

She did it! She's the most decorated swimmer at the worlds.

[georgeglass]

Jul 25, 2023 14:32:30 GMT -5 formerlyak said:

My brain is already in 2028 Olympic mode because it’s in my city and we are hoping to go to some events!!

Same (and sorry this is such a late reply). I recently got to hear Kathy Carter, the CEO of LA28 and she's a fucking badass and incredible speaker. I want all things LA28 now. Ha!


la28.org/en/newsroom/Kathy-Carter-CEO.html