As competitors taking part in the Paris Olympics triathlon event prepare to dive into the River Seine, the superhuman athletes would be forgiven for being a little anxious about the water in front of them.
Pollution meant swimming was banned in the river for more than 100 years and to prepare for its use during the Games, a $1.5 billion clean-up has been taking place for the past decade.
Judging by the news that has emerged this week, it looks as if there will be a race to make sure the triathletes standing on the pontoon in front of the Pont Alexandre III will emerge from the event healthy, if not absolutely exhausted.
The Surfrider Foundation Europe warned that water samples taken from the Seine have shown dangerous levels of E-coli and enterococci, including those taken from the Pont Alexandre III. Added to the threat of strikes and security fears around the opening ceremony, it has become a potential blot on France's showpiece event.
The presence of the bacteria came after heavy rain in Paris, which traditionally overloads the capital’s sewer system and leads to waste being discharged into the Seine.
The deluge swelled the river, requiring the clock counting down to the Games to be rescued from its bank and raising fears a repeat in summer could scupper the use of the Seine for the triathlon and the 10km swimming event.
Understandably, organisers of Paris 2024 have decided to place the Seine at the heart of the games and, in a break with tradition, the opening ceremony will be centred on the river. After all, it is cemented in our imagination of Paris as much as the Eiffel Tower.
The previous swimming ban was brushed aside by Pierre Rabadan, Paris’s deputy mayor in charge of sport, who said using the river was “not madness” but an “ambitious goal”.
But things began badly in August when a triathlon event in Paris was cancelled after organisers said high pollution found in the Seine meant they could not risk the health and safety of athletes. The Open Water Swimming World Cup had been cancelled the month before for the same reason.
Health hazard
The organisers' hopes they might have put the problems behind them were dashed this week, when Surfrider said bacteria levels were double and in some places three times higher than the maximum amount permitted by international triathlon and open-water swimming federations.
“It is therefore clear that the athletes who will be taking part in the Olympic and Paralympic events planned for the Seine will be swimming in polluted water and taking significant risks to their health,” said Surfrider.
President of the Games Tony Estanguet has admitted the triathlon could be delayed or moved if the quality of water is affected by thunderstorms, which are not uncommon over the summer months.
Responding to the Surfrider findings, he acknowledged that holding the event in the Seine was “a big challenge” but was “still confident that the triathlon will be based in the Seine because we have contingency plans”.
“We can postpone for rainy conditions. Because it's programmed at the beginning of the Games, we can wait for better conditions. So we are confident that it will be possible to use the Seine,” he said.
The biggest hurdle to making the Seine swimmable could be the city’s sewerage system, which has to cope with the two million cubic metres of wastewater generated by the more than nine million people who live in the greater Paris region.
It combines stormwater with sewage before they reach wastewater treatment plants.
When heavy rain hits, the system can be overwhelmed, discharging contaminated water back into the river, which measured nearly 2 million cubic metres in 2022.
The problem stems from the first half of the 19th century, when Paris barely had any sewers and waste was picked up, then dumped on farms that surrounded the city.
“At that time every house had a kind of tank in the basement where they collected faecal matter, which was collected every month or every week by people who worked during the night,” said Prof Jean-Marie Mouchel, a hydrologist at Sorbonne University.
The river has since acquired a filthy reputation as a dumping ground for all sorts of rubbish, with 350 tonnes of waste hauled out of the water every year including plastic, cigarette butts and even electric scooters and bicycles.
Pipe dream
As Paris expanded at the end of the century, there were moves to build a drainage system under the city to deal with the ever-growing amounts of human and horse waste.
The waste was still dumped where it had been before but with the city still growing, the area where the waste matter could spread was reduced.
“If you have too much water, you can’t send it to the wastewater treatment plant because if you put too much water into the plant it will not work at all,” Prof Mouchel said.
“So when the tanks are filled up, the water has to go somewhere and the only place it can go is the Seine.”
Efforts to improve the sewerage system in Paris ran in tandem with the creation of the city’s famous expansive boulevards from 1855.
A huge sewerage plant was built at Acheres in 1935 in a bid to further protect the Seine and it remains the second largest in the world. By the 1960s, the river was beginning to revitalise after a ban on untreated sewage discharge.
With the Olympics looming, in 2020 a consortium led by the mayor of Paris and the head of the Ile-de-France region put in place a €1.4 billion ($1.5 billion) plan to clean up the river.
The central plank of the strategy has been to build a huge 700-metre underground tunnel and a large storage tank, near Austerlitz train station, to contain excess rainwater in the city itself.
Cleaning up its act
Rainwater flowing from the roofs of homes in villages upstream from Paris has also been disconnected from the sewerage system.
Water will flow by gravity and reach the storage tank, which measures 50 metres in diameter and 30 metres in depth. It can hold a volume of water equivalent to 20 Olympic-sized pools.
Samuel Colin-Canivez, Paris’s chief engineer for sanitation works, said the wastewater will get “intercepted by a pipeline”.
“This water tank will provide relief to the sewage system, storing rainwater during storms,” he said.
But Prof Mouchel warned “you cannot always limit run-off … so it’s clear that bathing in the river Seine will not be possible” all the time. “You must always have periods when there will be red flags to say the water quality is not OK,” he added.
Cleaning up the Seine is intended to be one of the key legacies of the Paris Olympics, with mayor Anne Hidalgo promising to create three public bathing areas in the river next year.
She and President Emmanuel Macron have promised to take a dip in the Seine before the start of the Games to demonstrate it is safe for athletes and the public.
While Mr Macron may be confident he’ll be able to don his Speedos for a swim, Surfrider is less sure it will be clean enough to play its part in the Games.
“Unfortunately, to date, there has been no indication from the parties involved in the plan to rehabilitate the Seine, the partners or the competent authorities as to whether these actions will be properly implemented,” it said.
“With just a few weeks to go to the trials, we are becoming increasingly concerned about meeting the deadlines for commissioning the works and bringing them into compliance.”
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Director: Jon Watts
Stars: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon
Rating:*****
The specs: 2018 Jeep Compass
Price, base: Dh100,000 (estimate)
Engine: 2.4L four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 184bhp at 6,400rpm
Torque: 237Nm at 3,900rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 9.4L / 100km
Essentials
The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes.
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
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- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
Company profile
Name: Thndr
Started: October 2020
Founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: pre-seed of $800,000
Funding stage: series A; $20 million
Investors: Tiger Global, Beco Capital, Prosus Ventures, Y Combinator, Global Ventures, Abdul Latif Jameel, Endure Capital, 4DX Ventures, Plus VC, Rabacap and MSA Capital
The biog
Age: 19
Profession: medical student at UAE university
Favourite book: The Ocean at The End of The Lane by Neil Gaiman
Role model: Parents, followed by Fazza (Shiekh Hamdan bin Mohammed)
Favourite poet: Edger Allen Poe
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Jiu-jitsu calendar of events for 2017-2018:
August 5:
Round-1 of the President’s Cup in Al Ain.
August 11-13:
Asian Championship in Vietnam.
September 8-9:
Ajman International.
September 16-17
Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, Ashgabat.
September 22-24:
IJJF Balkan Junior Open, Montenegro.
September 23-24:
Grand Slam Los Angeles.
September 29:
Round-1 Mother of The Nation Cup.
October 13-14:
Al Ain U18 International.
September 20-21:
Al Ain International.
November 3:
Round-2 Mother of The National Cup.
November 4:
Round-2 President’s Cup.
November 10-12:
Grand Slam Rio de Janeiro.
November 24-26:
World Championship, Columbia.
November 30:
World Beach Championship, Columbia.
December 8-9:
Dubai International.
December 23:
Round-3 President’s Cup, Sharjah.
January 12-13:
Grand Slam Abu Dhabi.
January 26-27:
Fujairah International.
February 3:
Round-4 President’s Cup, Al Dhafra.
February 16-17:
Ras Al Khaimah International.
February 23-24:
The Challenge Championship.
March 10-11:
Grand Slam London.
March 16:
Final Round – Mother of The Nation.
March 17:
Final Round – President’s Cup.
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Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
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Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 400hp
Torque: 560Nm
Price: Dh234,000 - Dh329,000
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Virtuzone GCC Sixes
Date and venue Friday and Saturday, ICC Academy, Dubai Sports City
Time Matches start at 9am
Groups
A Blighty Ducks, Darjeeling Colts, Darjeeling Social, Dubai Wombats; B Darjeeling Veterans, Kuwait Casuals, Loose Cannons, Savannah Lions; C Awali Taverners, Darjeeling, Dromedary, Darjeeling Good Eggs
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
Roll of honour: Who won what in 2018/19?
West Asia Premiership: Winners – Bahrain; Runners-up – Dubai Exiles
UAE Premiership: Winners – Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners-up – Jebel Ali Dragons
Dubai Rugby Sevens: Winners – Dubai Hurricanes; Runners-up – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Conference: Winners – Dubai Tigers; Runners-up – Al Ain Amblers
KEY%20DATES%20IN%20AMAZON'S%20HISTORY
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
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Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
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