After more than 100 years of ban: Swimming in the Seine River, swimmers under the watchful eye of lifeguards

This morning, swimming began in the Seine River, in the heart of Paris, for the first time since 1923 and after more than 100 years of prohibition.

Dozens of swimmers dove into the water under the watchful eye of rescuers, Agence France-Presse reported.

The three bathing areas opened after a 1,4 billion euro clean-up project that Paris carried out to make the river safe for competitions at last year's Summer Olympics.

Swimming in the Seine has been prohibited since 1923, with a few exceptions, due to pollution and the risks posed by the river's current.

Swimming is supervised by lifeguards, and swimming outside the bathing area is still prohibited.

Water analysis has shown that it complies with European Union bathing regulations, and testing is conducted daily.

The swimming pools will be open until the end of August and admission will be free for swimmers over 10 years of age, or 14 years of age at some locations.