5Upper IntermediateExamEnvironment

High Divers Test the Seine: Can Paris Keep Its River Clean?

Paris held its first high-diving competition in the Seine River as part of the European Aquatics Championships. Athletes jumped from a 20-meter platform near the Eiffel Tower, but training was briefly stopped when pollution was found. The event raises important questions about whether cities can truly restore polluted rivers for public use.

2 min readLevel 5August 9, 2026

By Flalingo Editorial Team

Vocabulary

Study these words before reading the article. Click the audio button to hear pronunciation.

restoration

/ˌrestəˈreɪʃən/

noun

The act of returning something to its original or good condition

“The restoration of the old building took several years and cost millions.”

suspended

/səˈspendɪd/

verb

Temporarily stopped or paused an activity

“The school suspended classes during the heavy storm.”

detected

/dɪˈtektɪd/

verb

Found or discovered something that was not easy to notice

“Scientists detected small amounts of pollution in the water supply.”

fragility

/frəˈdʒɪləti/

noun

The quality of being easily broken, damaged, or harmed

“The fragility of the ecosystem means that even small changes can cause damage.”

ambitious

/æmˈbɪʃəs/

adjective

Requiring great effort, skill, or determination to succeed

“The government announced an ambitious plan to reduce carbon emissions by 50 percent.”

monitoring

/ˈmɒnɪtərɪŋ/

noun

The regular checking or watching of something over time

“Regular monitoring of air quality helps protect public health.”

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Article

Click on any underlined word to see its definition. Highlighted words are from the vocabulary section.

Paris recently hosted a remarkable sporting event on the Seine River. High divers launched themselves from a 20-meter platform near the Eiffel Tower. The competition was part of the European Aquatics Championships in August 2026. Hundreds of spectators gathered along the riverbanks to watch the athletes. This event represented a significant test of the city's river restoration efforts.

However, the event also revealed ongoing challenges with water quality. Organisers suspended training when traces of hydrocarbons were detected upstream. By the following day, the affected area had been treated successfully. The French Swimming Federation confirmed that athletes could return to the water. These issues demonstrate the fragility of urban river cleanup projects.

The Seine had been too polluted for swimming since 1923. Paris invested approximately 1.4 billion euros to restore the river before the 2024 Olympics. The cleanup involved upgrading sewage systems and building underground storage tanks. More than 20,000 homes were connected to proper waste treatment systems. Fish species in the river increased from just three to thirty-two.

Three public swimming sites on the Seine opened in July 2025. If other cities invested similarly, their rivers could also be restored. The high-diving competition showed that progress has been made, but risks remain. Experts believe that continuous monitoring is essential for maintaining water quality. This ambitious project may inspire similar environmental restoration efforts worldwide.

Comprehension Quiz

Test your understanding of the article with these multiple-choice questions.

1
What was the height of the diving platform used in the Seine competition?
2
Why was training suspended during the event?
3
How much did Paris invest in cleaning the Seine River?
4
When was swimming in the Seine originally banned?
5
What happened to the number of fish species in the Seine after the cleanup?

Discussion

Answer these comprehension questions about the article.

1
According to the article, what caused training to be suspended during the high-diving event?
2
The author suggests that the cleanup of the Seine has been successful. What evidence from the passage supports this claim?
3
According to the passage, how long had swimming been banned in the Seine before the river was restored?
4
What does the article imply about the relationship between the 2024 Olympics and the Seine cleanup project?
5
The author describes the high-diving event as a 'test.' What is being tested, and why is this significant?

Further Discussion

Share your opinions on these open-ended questions.

1
Do you think governments should spend billions of euros to clean up polluted rivers? Why or why not?
2
If your city had a polluted river, what steps would you recommend to restore it for public use?
3
Some people argue that outdoor swimming in rivers is too risky. Do you agree with this view?
4
How important is it for major sporting events like the Olympics to leave a positive environmental legacy?
5
Would you feel comfortable swimming in a river that was once heavily polluted? Explain your reasoning.

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Vocabulary

restoration

suspended

detected

fragility

ambitious

monitoring

Article

Comprehension Quiz

Discussion

Further Discussion

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