The Seine River was toxic for a century. Its Olympic cleanup could change swimming around the world

"It's swimmable most of the time," said Sibylle van der Walt, who spearheaded the group. "It's much better than the Seine."

Metz Ville d'Eau is part of the swimmable cities alliance, representing organizations from 31 cities in 16 countries that are pushing for cleaner and more accessible urban waterways.

The group wants 'a new status quo' of public access to urban waterways for swimming. Depending on the city and the waterway, that could be as simple as allowing swimming in a formerly polluted river where conditions have improved.

By creating a global umbrella for urban swimming initiatives, organizers say they hope to foster an exchange of ideas and prototypes that could guide efforts in other places.

Read at Fast Company