To celebrate the Fourth of July, 75-year-old American swimmer Joel Stratte McClure took a plunge into the murky waters of Seine River holding a US flag while swimming.

McClure said he swam into the Seine to likewise praise the French government’s bid to clean up the river in time for its hosting of the Olympic games.

Local authorities later released data that indicated that water quality in the river has vastly improved, thus, lifting up hopes that certain events may be held there.

In 1976, McClure also swam the Seine for a magazine cover shoot. He was just over 30 years old then.

He said the clean up efforts is impressive although he remains concerned over how safe it can allow others to take a dip.

“I may regret having swum but if I come back alive, it will prove that the French have done a good job cleaning up the river,” the visiting American told the news media.

McClure said his swim was also his way of celebrating the US Independence Day.

The idea of swimming into the murky river was first aired by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo last month. She vowed to do it to convince people that it is clean.

She promised to swim in mid-July in the wake of a threat by critics to poop in the river on the day she will dive into Seine.