Latest news with #MarieBarsacq
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Wonderful:' Parisians, tourists gleeful as Seine opens to bathing
Parisians and tourists swam in the Seine river on Saturday, after authorities in the French capital lifted a ban that stood for over a century. Mayor Anne Hidalgo, French Sports Minister Marie Barsacq and other prominent faces celebrated the reopening of the famous river to bathing. Three outdoor pools have been set up: one opposite L'île aux Cygnes (Swan Island) near the Eiffel Tower, one near Notre-Dame Cathedral and one opposite the national library. The pools are accessible free of charge throughout the summer. Water quality is to be continuously monitored, as swimmers will dive directly into river water, a statement from the city said. The swimming locations feature changing rooms and showers, are supervised by lifeguards and offer space for sunbathing, the statement added. A German exchange student was among the first to have a dip in the Seine in front of the Eiffel Tower on Saturday. Juliane, from Munich, said the scene was "wonderful" and that the water was warm, adding that she was unconcerned about the water quality. "Of course there are could be a few bacteria in there, but if is being measured, then it can't be that bad," she told dpa. Véronique, a French pensioner, said she hopes that the new swimming facilities will not only please Parisians. "I hope that lots of tourists will come here, it's also free. They can then say 'I swam in the Seine,' it's sensational." Hidalgo said the pools were an attempt to improve the quality of life in the French capital in view of the expected rise in summer temperatures due to climate change. Bathing in the Seine was officially banned in 1923, but swimming was still practised until the early 1960s. The Seine was the site of the triathlon swimming legs and open water swimming in the 2024 Paris Olympics after more than €1 billion ($1.2 billion) was spent to improve water quality. Also on Saturday, the city's public beaches along the river reopened for the summer with a variety of leisure and cultural activities for residents and tourists. "Paris Plages" transforms the banks of the Seine over several kilometres into an open-air paradise with beach bars, deckchairs, boules courts and sports activities. The urban beaches with large sandy areas provide relaxation with stunning view of the Parisian sights.
South China Morning Post
05-07-2025
- Climate
- South China Morning Post
France's Seine reopens to swimmers for first time in 100 years
Parisians and tourists will have the opportunity to swim in the river Seine starting on Saturday, after French authorities lifted a ban that stood for over a century. Advertisement Three outdoor pools have been set up by Paris authorities: one opposite L'île aux Cygnes (Swan Island) near the Eiffel Tower, one near Notre-Dame Cathedral, and one opposite the Bibliothèque nationale de France. The pools feature changing rooms and showers, will be supervised by lifeguards and offer space for sunbathing, according to a statement from the city. Open throughout the summer, they are accessible free of charge up to capacity but only to people able to swim. Water quality will be continuously monitored, as swimmers will be plunging directly into river water, the statement said. As the water is quite shallow, people will not be allowed to dive in. A woman sits on the Seine river banks during a heatwave on Tuesday. Photo: AP 'Everyone should be able to swim in the Seine starting this summer,' said French Sports Minister Marie Barsacq when the move was announced in May.
RNZ News
19-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Anti-homophobia initiative turns sour in French football
By Julien Pretot , Reuters Lyon's Serbian midfielder Nemanja Matic runs on the pitch with insignia covered up. Photo: AFP What was meant to be a weekend of solidarity against homophobia in Ligue 1 descended into controversy and embarrassment for French football, as players refused to wear campaign symbols, one striker boycotted his team's match, and a homophobic slur was heard in a stadium tunnel. Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Nemanja Matic and Le Havre's Ahmed Hassan concealed the French league's anti-homophobia insignia during Saturday's fixtures. Nantes forward Mostafa Mohamed withdrew from his side's match against Montpellier, citing personal convictions, the third time the Egyptian international has opted out of the initiative. Meanwhile, Lens defender Jonathan Gradit was heard directing a homophobic insult at halftime in the tunnel during their game against Monaco. The string of incidents prompted France's new sports minister, Marie Barsacq, to issue a pointed statement, calling for decisive action. "Football has a massive platform, and the [French Football] Federation is determined to put this issue on the clubs' and supporters' agenda," Barsacq said. "Homophobic insults and behaviour are no longer acceptable. Society has evolved, and the language in football must change with it. There's a full range of sanctions available, and they must be applied." Ligue 1 had planned for players to wear rainbow-coloured symbols on shirts or armbands and display messages in stadiums as part of its annual awareness drive. Yet participation has been uneven in recent years, with some players citing personal or religious reasons for opting out. Players speaking up is a rare occasion, although former French international Antoine Griezmann said six years ago: "If a gay player wants to come out, he might not have all the France players with him, but he will have me." Nice full back Jonathan Clauss said last week he was pessimistic about the fight against homophobia. "I think it's a never-ending fight, because there will never be 100 percent of people who agree [with the fight against homophobia]. And the very fact that there's a debate is a problem." - Reuters
The Guardian
19-05-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Ligue 1 left embarrassed after anti-homophobia matchday causes controversy
What was meant to be a weekend of solidarity against homophobia in Ligue 1 descended into controversy and embarrassment for French football, as players refused to wear campaign symbols, one striker boycotted his team's match, and a homophobic slur was heard in a stadium tunnel. The Lyon midfielder Nemanja Matic and Le Havre's Ahmed Hassan both concealed the French league's anti-homophobia insignia during Saturday's fixtures. Nantes forward Mostafa Mohamed withdrew from his side's match against Montpellier, citing personal beliefs — the third time the Egypt international has opted out of the initiative. Meanwhile, Lens defender Jonathan Gradit was heard directing a homophobic insult at half-time in the tunnel during their game against Monaco. The string of incidents prompted France's new sports minister, Marie Barsacq, to issue a pointed statement on Sunday, calling for decisive action. 'Football has a massive platform, and the [French Footbal] Federation is determined to put this issue on the clubs' and supporters' agenda,' Barsacq said. 'Homophobic insults and behaviour are no longer acceptable. Society has evolved, and the language in football must change with it. There's a full range of sanctions available, and they must be applied.' Ligue 1 had planned for players to wear rainbow-coloured symbols on shirts or armbands and display messages in stadiums as part of its annual awareness drive. Yet participation has been uneven in recent years, with some players citing personal or religious reasons for opting out. Players speaking up is a rare occasion, although the former France international Antoine Griezmann said six years ago: 'If a gay player wants to come out, he might not have all the France players with him, but he will have me.' Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion The Nice full-back Jonathan Clauss said last week he was pessimistic about the fight against homophobia. 'I think it's a never-ending fight, because there will never be 100% of people who agree. And the very fact that there's a debate is a problem,' he said.
Reuters
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Anti-homophobia initiative turns sour in French football with player no-show, slur
PARIS, May 19 (Reuters) - What was meant to be a weekend of solidarity against homophobia in Ligue 1 descended into controversy and embarrassment for French football, as players refused to wear campaign symbols, one striker boycotted his team's match, and a homophobic slur was heard in a stadium tunnel. Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Nemanja Matic and Le Havre's Ahmed Hassan concealed the French league's anti-homophobia insignia during Saturday's fixtures. Nantes forward Mostafa Mohamed withdrew from his side's match against Montpellier, citing personal convictions — the third time the Egyptian international has opted out of the initiative. Meanwhile, Lens defender Jonathan Gradit was heard directing a homophobic insult at halftime in the tunnel during their game against Monaco. The string of incidents prompted France's new sports minister, Marie Barsacq, to issue a pointed statement on Sunday, calling for decisive action. "Football has a massive platform, and the (French Football) Federation is determined to put this issue on the clubs' and supporters' agenda," Barsacq said. "Homophobic insults and behaviour are no longer acceptable. Society has evolved, and the language in football must change with it. There's a full range of sanctions available, and they must be applied." Ligue 1 had planned for players to wear rainbow-coloured symbols on shirts or armbands and display messages in stadiums as part of its annual awareness drive. Yet participation has been uneven in recent years, with some players citing personal or religious reasons for opting out. Players speaking up is a rare occasion, although former French international Antoine Griezmann said six years ago: "If a gay player wants to come out, he might not have all the France players with him, but he will have me." Nice full back Jonathan Clauss said last week he was pessimistic about the fight against homophobia. "I think it's a never-ending fight, because there will never be 100% of people who agree (with the fight against homophobia). And the very fact that there's a debate is a problem," he said.
