A record-breaking 2,147 swimmers took part in the 29th Samsung Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swimming Race in Istanbul on Sunday 23 July.
The race, organised by the Turkish Olympic Commitee (TOC), saw swimmers from 49 countries make their way accross the challenging 6.5km route from Kanlıca on the Asian side of Istanbul, to Kuruçeşme Cemil Topuzlu Park on the European side.
Russian swimmers Evgeny Eliseev and Kristina Kochetkova each finished first in the men’s and women’s events respectively. Eliseev was the first to complete the course overall with an impressive time of 50 minutes 58 seconds. He was followed by Dogukan Ulac in second place with a time of 52 minutes 21 seconds, whilst Erge Can Gezmis completed the podium with a time of 52 minutes 53 seconds.
Kochetkova clocked an outstanding time of 54 minutes and 57 seconds to comfortably finish in first place in the women’s race. She was followed by Nilay Erkal in second place with a time of 55 minutes 01 seconds, and Buse Topcu in third with a time of 55 minutes 08 seconds.
Winners were presented with their gifts and medals at a ceremony hosted by Turkish Youth and Sports Minister Osman Askin Bak, Sports General Director Mehmet Baykan, Deputy Governor Nihat Nalbant, Turkish Former Minister of State Kürşad Tüzmen, Mayor of the Besiktas District Murat Hazinedar, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Sports and Youth Director Ayhan Kep, President of the Turkish Olympic Committee Professor Dr. Uğur Erdener and Samsung Electronics Turkey President DaeHyun Kim.
Speaking from the ceremony, TOC President Professor Dr. Uğur Erdener said:
"Today’s race has been an overwhelming success. No matter how many times you have seen it before, it is always a breathtaking sight to witness thousands of swimmers from all over the world make their way accross the Bosphorus from Asia to Europe. Thanks to the support from our partner, Samsung Electronics Turkey, we have once again broken the participation record for this unique race.
"On behalf of the TOC, Samsung Electronics Turkey and City of Istanbul, I would like to thank all of those who took part in today’s race and we look forward to welcoming you back next year for what will hopefully be another record-breaking race."
First held in 1989 with 68 swimmers taking part, the Bosphorus race has since evolved into a world-famous international swimming event attracting thousands of participants from all across the globe. Last year it was selected as the "World Open Water Swimming Offering of the Year" by the World Open Water Swimming Association (WOWSA).
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