France: After 80 years, a swimming race returns to the Seine in Paris

Hundreds of swimmers dive into the River Seine at the foot of the Eiffel Tower for the Open Swim Harmonie Mutuelle, marking the return of open-water racing to the iconic Parisian waterway for the first time in nearly 80 years.

"They’re fortunate to have a Seine with exceptionally high water quality," notes Stephane Caron, the co-organizer of the event and an Olympic medallist. Alongside the flagship 8.5-kilometer race, organizers offer several shorter distances, allowing swimmers of all abilities to experience the rare opportunity to compete in the heart of the French capital.