Istanbul, August 4, 2014 – The traditional 26th Samsung Bosporus Cross Continental Swimming Race, with 1729 sportsman from 45 countries took place last 21st July – reported the local media.
The Samsung Bosphorus Cross-continental Swimming Race is organized under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee and is supported by contributions from numerous corporate and private sponsors.
Hundreds of swimmers began the race from one of the most famous locations along the Bosporus in Kanl?ca and started swimming toward Kuruçe?me on Istanbul’s European side. The course in total stretched 6.5 kilometers. This year the race hosted both swimmers and rowers.
In the end, Turkish swimmer Hasan Emre Musluo?lu broke the record, winning the race for a fifth consecutive time. He finished the 6.5 kilometer course in 41 minutes 26 seconds.
This year, the swimmers had a high-profile guest to cheer them on. Former Dutch swimming great, Inge De Bruijn who holds eight Olympic medals, five world championship titles and 12 world records, came to Istanbul to promote the event, following in the footsteps of swimming legends Mark Spitz and Ian Thorpe who attended in past years.
The winners received their awards from Turkish Olympic Committee President U?ur Erdener and de Bruijn.
For 26 years, thousands of athletes from around the world and Turkey have been meeting in Istanbul to challenge one another and discover their limits.
Thanks to increased interest each year, this event, which began with just four female and 64 male athletes in 1989, has grown to become an important part of the Turkish sports tradition.

With its national and international brand value, the Bosphorus Cross-continental Swimming Race is an event that brings together people who are devoted to swimming. Together with the number of athletes that increase each year, public interest in the event is growing.