At 65, Paris Mayor Swims in Seine River Ahead of Olympics

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo swam in the polluted waters of the River Seine to confirm that it is now clean enough to host outdoor swimming competitions during the Olympic Games, which the French capital is hosting starting on the 26th of this month.

Hidalgo, 65, swam breaststroke before submerging her face and starting a front crawl of about 100 metres back and forth, wearing goggles and a wet suit.

She was joined by senior local officials, including Tony Estanguet, a three-time Olympic gold medalist in rowing who currently heads the Paris Games organising committee. (Arabic)