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

paris — A 76-year-old American swimmer took a dip in the River Seine 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...