Concerns Persist Over Seine River Water Quality

During the women's 10-kilometre marathon swim in Paris, concerns over the Seine River's water quality persisted despite recent testing showing acceptable levels for illness-causing bacteria. Edmonton's Emma Finlin finished 23rd in the race, which was won by Sharon van Rouwendaal from the Netherlands. The athletes faced a strong current and had limited opportunities to train in the river prior to the event, as previous sessions were cancelled due to unfavorable water conditions. Competitors expressed relief at being able to train in the river, although some, like the American team, opted to use paddle boards to avoid ingesting the water. The backdrop of the event included iconic Paris landmarks, adding to the unique atmosphere. This marathon swim marks a significant moment in Olympic history, as swimming in the Seine was banned for over a century due to pollution concerns.