CHICAGO () — Organizers announced Sunday morning that the Chicago River Swim has been canceled because of dangerous weather conditions.
The event was scheduled to return Sunday for its second year.
The Chicago River Swim was expected to draw local officials, former Olympians and community members ready to take part in the open-water event.
Officials said the decision was made “due to weather-related safety concerns,” including the possibility of a combined sewer overflow that could compromise water quality and the threat of lightning.
“We know how much training, preparation, and heart our swimmers put into this event, and we share their disappointment,” Chicago River Swim founder Doug McConnell said. He thanked the City of Chicago and Mayor Brandon Johnson for their support, along with everyone who helped bring the event together. McConnell said the swim will return Sept. 19, 2027.
The canceled swim was to follow the landmark 2025 event, which marked the return of organized open-water swimming to the Chicago River for the first time in nearly a century.
Beyond the athletic challenge, the Chicago River Swim supports ALS research and helps provide swimming lessons and water-safety education for children in underserved communities.
Despite the cancellation, organizers said they will fulfill their charitable commitments. The event plans to donate $100,000 to Northwestern University for ALS research and $62,500 to the USA Swimming Foundation, which will support swim lessons through the Chicago Park District for children in underserved neighborhoods.
A Flood Watch remained in effect until 1 p.m. Sunday for Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, Lake, Ogle, Lee, DeKalb, Kane, DuPage, La Salle, Kendall, Grundy, Kankakee, Cook and Will counties in Illinois, as well as Lake and Porter counties in Indiana.
