An American swims in Paris' Seine River before the Olympics despite contamination concerns

PARIS (AP) — A 75-year-old American swimmer took a dip in the Seine River on Thursday, braving the murky waters in central Paris to celebrate the Fourth of July and highlight the French government’s efforts to clean up the river for the Olympic Games.

He had good timing: Hours later, regional authorities released data showing water quality in the river improved over the past week, raising hopes it can host Olympic swimming events after all.

Joel Stratte McClure, who last swam in the Seine in 1976 for a magazine cover shoot and turns 76 this month, said he was impressed with the progress made in cleaning up the river, but still had concerns about its safety.

“I may regret having swum,” McClure said before entering the water. “But if I come back alive, it will prove that the French have done a good job cleaning up the river.”

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo initially planned to swim in the Seine last month to prove its cleanliness — prompting an online campaign by her many critics threatening to poop in the river on the day of her dip.

But she postponed the swim after President Emmanuel Macron announced snap legislative elections that have plunged France into political tensions and eclipsed pre-Olympic excitement for many. Heavy rainfall in recent months has also translated into faster-than-usual currents for this time of year, and Hidalgo says she will swim in the river in mid-July instead.

“I think the president organized new elections to avoid swimming in the Seine,’’ McClure joked.

After a brief swim, he declared the water “fantastic” and expressed hope that others would follow his lead and take advantage of the cleaner river.

Marathon swimming and triathlon are scheduled to take place in the river near the Alexandre III bridge during the Olympics, which run from July 26-Aug. 11, and the Paralympics, which run from Aug. 28-Sept. 8.

Unsafe levels of E. coli were found in the river last week for the third consecutive week. But on Thursday, regional authorities released new results showing an improvement.

The test results by monitoring group Eau de Paris show that for all but one day from June 26 to July 2, contamination levels were below the safe limit of 900 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters determined by the World Triathlon Federation for competitions.

French officials remain optimistic, and insist there is no Plan B for Olympic open-water swimming events.

AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

Women discuss by the Seine river with stands installed on its banks, Thursday, July 4, 2024 in Paris. The Seine river will host the Paris Olympic Games opening ceremony on July 26. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

A tourists boat makes its way on the Seine river with stands installed on its banks, Thursday, July 4, 2024 by Notre Dame de Pari cathedral in Paris. The Seine river will host the Paris Olympic Games opening ceremony on July 26. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Joel Stratte-McClure, 75, of the US, smiles after a short swim in the Seine river, Thursday, July 4, 2024 in Paris. The Seine River has been found unsafe according to test results published last Friday, less than a month before the Paris Olympics. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Joel Stratte-McClure, 75, of the US, holds American flag after completing a short swim in the Seine river, Thursday, July 4, 2024 in Paris. The Seine River has been found unsafe according to test results published last Friday, less than a month before the Paris Olympics. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Joel Stratte-McClure, 75, of the US, holds American flag after completing a short swim in the Seine river, Thursday, July 4, 2024 in Paris. The Seine River has been found unsafe according to test results published last Friday, less than a month before the Paris Olympics. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

ATLANTA (AP) — Hall of Fame manager Bobby Cox made a rare visit to Truist Park for the Atlanta Braves' game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday night and received a standing ovation.

Fan cheered after the 83-year-old Cox, was introduced as “the very best manager in the history of the game, our beloved No. 6, Bobby Cox.”

Cox, who led the Braves to the 1995 World Series title and retired after the 2010 season, stood and waved with his left hand. His wife, Pam, became emotional as the ovation continued. Braves manager Brian Snitker joined in the applause as he looked up to the private box where Cox watched the game.

Cox was hospitalized in 2019 following a stroke.

Snitker, who became manager in 2016 and led Atlanta to the 2021 World Series championship, has remained close with Cox and often visits his former boss. Cox visited the Braves' clubhouse before the game.

Cox was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014. His No. 6 was retired by the Braves.

Cox served two stints as the manager of the Braves. He led the team from 1978-81 before managing the Toronto Blue Jays from 1982-85. He returned to Atlanta as the team's general manager in 1986 before returning to the dugout in 1991.

He is one of only four managers to be named manager of the year in the AL and NL and overall won the award four times.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

FILE - Former Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox waves to the crowd as he is introduced at a ceremony to open the Braves' new stadium before a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, April 14, 2017, in Atlanta. Hall of Fame manager Cox made a rare visit to Truist Park for the Braves' game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Saturday, July 6, 2024, and received a standing ovation. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)

Former Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox, center top, waves to the crowd during a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brett Davis)