Newsletters
Thousands of swimmers gathered in Istanbul for the 38th Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swimming Race, an annual event linking Europe and Asia across the strait separating the two continents.
Swimmers assembled at Kurucesme Cemil Topuzlu Park, a waterfront venue on the European side of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, before being transported to the race's starting point on the Asian shore.
Participants traveled by boat across the Bosphorus to Kanlica Ferry Pier, a village on Istanbul's Asian side, where organizers prepared the starting area for the 6.5-kilometer crossing.
While en route to the start, several swimmers held Palestinian flags aboard the boat, displaying them in support of Palestine as the group traveled toward Kanlica.
Swimmers carried Palestinian flags as they made their way to the starting area, continuing to display them ahead of the race's official start.
Youth and Sports Minister Osman Askin Bak gave the starting signal at Kanlica, sending 2,500 swimmers from 64 countries into the Bosphorus.
Competitors began the 6.5-kilometer swim across the strait, moving from the Asian shore toward the finish line in Kurucesme on the European side.
Orange buoys marked the course throughout the crossing, part of expanded safety measures organizers introduced this year following an incident during last year's race.
Selim Oguz finished first in the men's category with a time of 51 minutes and 13 seconds, followed by Dogukan Ulac in second and Mark Shrom in third.
Su Inal led the women's category, finishing in 54 minutes and 54 seconds, ahead of Ece Guven in second place and Gokce Ozturk in third.
The race concluded with an award ceremony in Kurucesme, where organizers and officials, including TMOK President Veli Ozan Cakir, addressed swimmers and the press.
Set as preferred source
1 min read
