British Swimmers Urge UK to Follow France's Lead in Waterway Clean-Up
- Hector Pardoe, a British swimmer, recently praised the efforts to clean the River Seine.
- He finished sixth in the men’s 10km marathon swim at the Paris Olympics.
- His acknowledgment highlights the progress being made in environmental conservation efforts in Paris.
British marathon swimmers Hector Pardoe and Toby Robinson have commended France's efforts to clean the River Seine ahead of the Paris Olympics, calling on the UK Government to take similar action regarding its own waterways. The Seine has been largely off-limits for swimming for the past century due to toxic water quality, but French authorities have invested 1.4 billion euros (£1.2 billion) to restore the river. Despite initial concerns about water safety, all scheduled swimming events, including the men’s 10km marathon, have proceeded successfully. Pardoe highlighted the positive transformation of the Seine, stating that the successful hosting of various races, including triathlons and open water events, could serve as a legacy for the Paris 2024 Olympics. He emphasized the importance of this achievement as a model for other European nations, particularly the UK, which faces significant challenges in improving its water quality. The swimmer expressed hope that the UK could emulate France's progress in cleaning its rivers. Meanwhile, the UK is grappling with a surge in sewage-dumping incidents, reaching a three-year high, which Liberal Democrat environment spokesperson Tim Farron has labeled a “national scandal.” Robinson echoed Pardoe's sentiments, noting that the heightened focus on water quality due to the Olympics could inspire change in Britain. He remarked on the potential of sports to drive environmental improvements, urging for a concerted effort to enhance water conditions in the UK.