With just 56 days to go to the Olympic Games, Paris: En Route takes a look at the behind-the-scenes scoops, the off-piste plotlines and the stories with a certain… je ne sais quoi.
‘Le pipi’ in the Seine
There are just 56 days for Paris authorities to clean up the Seine. But the most recent water tests have shown the river to be still too dirty to swim in.
Even after splashing out billions of dollars for a massive underground “cathedral” of a rainwater storage tank, the river is struggling with discharge of untreated effluent into the river. Heavy rainfall hasn’t helped.
New Zealand’s own Hayden Wilde will be competing in the triathlon, where the swim leg will be in the Seine.
It’s the city now in a race against time.
Treasure hunting in Paris
French locals are on the hunt for 24 miniature Olympic torches.
The scavenger hunters who find the 3D-printed torches – hidden along the relay tour route – can scan the QR does inside. More prizes and surprises await the lucky punters.
Haka tutorials
Every time an athlete wins a medal, the New Zealand team performs the Poutangata haka. Word has it, if you walk down the hallway in the athletes’ village you can often hear new Olympians practicing the haka in order to get it right when the time comes to perform.
The NZOC runs a series of workshops around the country with instructional classes to make sure all new Olympians are up to speed.
There’s also a YouTube link so they can brush up on the words and action.
Guy’s French phrase of the week
If in doubt, you’d best stay out: “Ne nagez pas dans la Seine. C'est comme des toilettes.”
Do not swim in the Seine. It’s like a toilet.
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