High divers take the plunge in Paris for a new test of reclaimed Seine’s water

The European Aquatics Championships are being held in Paris, featuring a high-diving competition in the Seine River from a 20-meter platform near the Eiffel Tower. This event serves as a test of Paris's efforts to make the river swimmable again, a goal accelerated by the upcoming 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Training was temporarily suspended due to detected hydrocarbons upstream, but the French Swimming Federation treated the area, allowing the competition to proceed. The championships, which include swimming, diving, artistic swimming, open-water swimming, and high diving, run until August 16th. This marks a significant step in Paris's ambition to transform the Seine into a public sporting venue, a concept that has drawn spectators and visitors.

Paris is hosting its first high-diving competition in the Seine River as part of the European Aquatics Championships, featuring athletes diving from a 20-meter platform with the Eiffel Tower as a backdrop. This event serves as a test of the city's extensive efforts to make the river safe for sports. Training was temporarily suspended due to detected hydrocarbons upstream, but organizers treated the area, allowing the competition to resume. The high diving event concludes on Saturday, with the broader championships running until August 16th. This initiative reflects Paris's goal to transform the Seine from a river primarily for commerce and tourism into a recreational space, a vision accelerated by investments made for the 2024 Olympics.