The Bosphorus Cross Continental Swimming Race is a highly anticipated annual event that takes place in the magnificent city of Istanbul. As swimmers from all over the world dive into the waters, the world’s narrowest strait is closed to commercial shipping, creating a unique and exhilarating experience.
This is one of the few intercontinental swimming events in the world and certainly the shortest!
- Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swim (Turkey) – 6.5 km (4 miles)
- Strait of Gibraltar Swim (Spain to Morocco) – 14.4 km (9 miles)
- North Channel Swim (Northern Ireland to Scotland) – 35.4 km (22 miles)
- Catalina Channel Swim (California, USA) – 33.7 km (21 miles)
- Tsugaru Channel Swim (Honshu to Hokkaido, Japan) – 19.5 km (12.1 miles)
- Cook Strait Swim (North Island to South Island, New Zealand) – 22.5 km (14 miles)
I mean if you swam directly across, The Bosphorus is actually not even that wide. The width of the Bosphorus varies from 500 meters (1640 feet) to 3 km (2 miles) but southern parts where it’s most densely populated and most regularly visited, it’s about a kilometer wide.
Organized by the National Olympic Committee of Turkey, The Bosphorus Cross Continental Swimming Race offers the rare opportunity to swim or row from Asia to Europe, while experiencing the stunning beauty of the Bosphorus. Spectators can witness the passion of the fans and athletes as they come together to compete, challenge themselves, and discover their limits.
For 34 years, this world-renowned intercontinental swimming race has attracted tens of thousands of athletes from all corners of the globe, making it the first and only race of its kind. Last year’s event saw Turkish swimmer Mertcan Karagöz emerge as the winner, crossing the Bosphorus in an impressive 44 minutes and 13 seconds. However, back in 2014, Turkish swimmer Hasan Emre Musluoğlu accomplished it in only 41 minutes and 26 seconds.
2023 Event
Applications process has just been finalized and participants are now at the stage of anxiously waiting for this year’s event that will take place in August when the Bosphorus waters seem to the most inviting. This year’s event is expected to draw similar numbers to the pre-pandemic, popular years.
According to a BBC report, 1,765 swimmers from 59 countries participated in the 2021 Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swimming Race. The race is organized under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee under large social and corporate support. Thanks to the increasing interest year by year, this adventure which began with the participation of 4 female and 64 male athletes in 1989, has grown to become an important part of the Turkish sports tradition. –Source
The Bosphorus Cross Continental Swimming Race is a thrilling event that showcases the breathtaking beauty of the Bosphorus, an iconic landmark that we at The Other Tour never tire of admiring.
Starting in the Asian suburb of Kanlıca, just north of the second bridge, this special swimming event finishes along the banks of Kuruçeşme at Cemil Topuzlu Park. The mêlée of getting in and out of the water often proves the most entertaining, albeit challenging, part of the race, adding to the excitement and anticipation of the event.
For more information about Bosphorus Cross Continental Swimming Race, visit the competition website at bogazici.olimpiyatkomitesi.org.tr
Wow that sounds amazing, can anybody join?