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French official swims in Seine trying to prove river is clean enough

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French official swims in Seine trying to prove river is clean enough

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PARIS, July 13 (Reuters) − French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea Castera took the plunge and swam in the River Seine on Saturday, in a publicity moment that French authorities hope will show the capital’s river is clean enough and ready to stageswimming events at the Olympic Games.

Oudea Castera was filmed by BFM TV as she briefly swam in the Seine near the Alexandre III and Invalides bridges.

Some U.S. swimmers have voiced their disappointment in the clean-up efforts that have left some left to wonder whether their event will take place in the river.

Olympics organizers told USA TODAY Sports last week there is a backup venue for open-water swimming — Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, where canoe-kayak and rowing events will be held — just outside of Paris, should the Seine not be clean enough.

The triathlon and marathon swimming legs of the Olympics, which run from July 26 to Aug. 11, are due to be held in the Seine. The famous river was used in the 1900 Paris Olympics.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who championed a campaign to clean up the often polluted river in time for the games, has also promised to swim in the Seine to mark the arrival of the Olympics in Paris and the river’s suitability for swimmingevents.

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