Paris proposes swimming in Seine as part of 2024 Olympics bid

Paris city council plans to make the River Seine fit to swim in before the 2024 Olympics, which the French capital hopes to host. If the bid is successful the swimming section of the triathlon and the 10km open-water swim would take place in the world-famous river.

Paris Plages on the banks of the River Seine - soon participatns should be able to swim as well as sunbathe Reuters/Charles Platiau

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo will present Paris's proposals to seduce the Olympics Committee to a city council meeting on 17-18 May.

Describing them as an "extraordinary plan", she told the Journal du Dimanche newspaper that they include a commitment to improve the quality of the water in the Seine and the canals that give off it so that swimming can be allowed.

An artificial pool at the La Villette park and science museum should be open to swimmers from next year and sections of the Seine would be kept open for the public to swim once the Olympics are over.

Other proposals include:

• A new tramline crossing the capital from east to west;

• A hiking path around the city;

• An increase in sporting facilities;

• Cycle paths to the Olympic sites.

Three other cities - Los Angeles, Rome and Budapest - are also pitching to hold the 2024 Olympics.

The winner will be announced on 13 September 2017 in Lima, Peru.