Thousands of swimmers once again united two continents with their strokes on the 6.5-kilometer course of the Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swimming Race stretching from Asia to Europe.

The 38th edition of the Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swimming Race, organized by the Turkish Olympic Committee (TOC) since 1989, was held on Sunday, August 23, in the Istanbul Bosphorus with the participation of 2,500 swimmers from 64 countries.

1,250 local and 1,250 foreign swimmers from 6 continents of the world stroked from Asia to Europe along the course starting at Kanlıca Pier and finishing at Kuruçeşme Cemil Topuzlu Park. The race, held with the unique Bosphorus view of Istanbul, once again demonstrated the universal power of sport that brings together different cultures and unites two continents.

Among Turkey’s most established international sports events, the race was realized with the coordination of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Turkiye, Istanbul Governorship, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, and Turkiye Swimming Federation, with the contributions of 31 public institutions, non-governmental organizations, and sponsors.

The race was followed on site by Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Osman Aşkın Bak, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Av. Assoc. Dr. Safa Koçoğlu Gürsoy, Deputy Governor of Istanbul Ünal Kılıçarslan, Deputy Secretary General of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Zeynep Neyza Akçabay, European Aquatics President Antonio Silva, Turkiye Swimming Federation President Erkan Yalçın, TOC President Prof. Dr. Veli Ozan Çakır, and many other important guests, sharing the excitement of the swimmers. The event was broadcast live on TRT Spor Yıldız, reaching wide audiences.

The athletes who ranked in the general classification for women and men at the Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swimming Race were announced.

Women’s General Classification

Su İnal – 54:54

Ece Güven – 55:30

Gökçe Öztürk – 56:21

Men’s General Classification

Y. Selim Oğuz – 51:13

Doğukan Ulaç – 52:03

Mark Shrom – 52:39

TOC President Prof. Dr. Veli Ozan Çakır highlighted the international significance of the event: “The Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swimming Race has become one of the most prestigious, inspiring, and unique events not only in our country but also in the global sports calendar over many years. This unique challenge that connects two continents with strokes is the most concrete representation of Olympic Values, peace, cultural integration, and the unifying power of sport in the cool waters of the Bosphorus. We are proud to host thousands of swimmers from all over the world in Istanbul’s enchanting atmosphere, contributing both to the international promotion of our country and to strengthening the sports culture in our society. As the Turkish Olympic Committee, we will continue to carry this deep-rooted legacy into the future with ever higher standards every year.”