50 Russian swimmers cross Dardanelles in mass swim
Over 1,500 swimmers, including 50 Russians, completed the 39th intercontinental swim across the Dardanelles Strait in Turkey, facing strong currents that increased the actual distance to 3–3.5 kilometers.
Consensus
- More than 1,500 swimmers participated in the 39th intercontinental swim across the Strait of Dardanelles in Turkey.
- The event took place on August 30, starting at 08:30 from the European shore near Edjeabat.
- The official route is about 5 kilometers, but strong currents increased the actual distance swum to 3–3.5 kilometers.
- The finish line was in Çanakkale on the Asian side.
- Participants were required to finish on a designated platform and return a timing chip.
- Safety measures were enhanced following the death of Russian swimmer Nikolai Svechnikov during a similar event on the Bosphorus in August of the previous year.
- 120–130 boats provided security along the route.
- The number of Russian participants increased to 50, nearly triple the previous year’s number.
- The swim is held in connection with Turkey’s National Independence War Victory Day.
Points of divergence
- The first swimmer to reach the shore was a Turkish athlete, but official winners will be determined later. — riamo
- The swimmer column stretched for hundreds of meters, marked by orange buoys. — riamo
- Swimmers were advised not to swim in a straight line due to strong southern currents. — riamo
- The event is associated with the ancient Greek myth of Leander, who swam the strait nightly to meet his lover. — riamo
- At 10:15, all swimmers still in the water were rescued by boats to resume maritime traffic, as the Dardanelles is a key global trade route. — riamo
Coverage (3 sources)
- 50 Russian swimmers crossed the Dardanelles Strait in a mass race — РИАМО
- More than 1,5 thousand swimmers, including 50 Russians, crossed the Dardanelles Strait in Turkey as part of the 39th intercontinental... — РИА Новости (Telegram)
- More than 1,500 swimmers, including 50 Russians, crossed the Dardanelles Strait in Turkey as part of the 39th intercontinental... — РИА Новости (Telegram)