Swimmers race in the Chicago River for first time in nearly 100 Years

Swimmers race in the Chicago River for first time in nearly 100 Years PlayFor the first time in nearly a century, the Chicago River hosted an organized open swim. A swimmer competes in a race in the Chicago River. “I have [swam] in the Chicago River and it’s perfectly delightful,” said McConnell, a longtime competitive swimmer whose open-water swims have included crossing the English Channel. Water quality has rebounded since the Clean Water Act of 1972, and many Chicagoans have embraced the river as a venue for fishing, kayaking and riverside strolls. Luke Maurer was excited to be one of the first swimmers to revive the tradition of organized swim events downtown.