Former international rugby player Pierre Rabadan said the results meant test events for the marathon swimming and triathlon competitions at Paris 2024 could go ahead.

It also means that the city's goal of opening the river to public swimming in 2025 is on track, the 42-year-old said.

"The first results of the Seine's water quality for the 2023 summer season have arrived," said Rabadan, the Deputy Mayor in charge of sport who was capped twice by France's rugby union team. 

"They reveal excellent quality for the test events this summer, the historic events in the Seine of the Olympic Games and then for the general public in 2025."

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo announced in 2016 the plan to make the river accessible in 2025.

It has been backed by French President Emmanuel Macron.

The project has required removing e-coli, sewage and industrial waste from the water.

A major challenge is rainfall which causes sewers in the French capital to overflow and unload into the Seine.

Funding of €1.4 billion (£1.1 billion/$1.5 billion) has been agreed for the work and it is hoped five permanent bathing sites can eventually be opened.

Swimming in the Seine has been banned since 1923.

The river is also due to host a unique Olympic Opening Ceremony at Paris 2024, involving boats carrying athletes.

Marathon swimming and triathlon at Paris 2024 is planned to begin at Pont Alexandre III, a bridge over the Sine which connects the Champs-Élysées with the Invalides and the Eiffel Tower.