37. Bosphorus Intercontinental Swimming Race

The Bosphorus Intercontinental Swim, organized by the Turkish National Olympic Committee (TMOK), was held for the 37th time in 2025. The event continued its status as the only mass swimming competition connecting the continents of Asia and Europe across the Bosphorus Strait. The event took place on 24 August 2025.

Organization Structure and Participant Profile

The 2025 Bosphorus Intercontinental Swim attracted more than 2,800 athletes from 81 countries. Over 4,000 applications were received during the registration process, and approximately 2,900 athletes were selected through a qualification and quota system. Participants completed the 6.5-kilometer course from Kanlıca to Kuruçeşme. The competitors included both amateur and professional swimmers across various age groups. Additionally, delegates from the International Olympic Committee, diplomatic representatives, and various Turkish sports authorities participated as observers or guests.

Course Route and Technical Procedures

The race route began at Kanlıca Pier on the Anatolian side and ended at Kuruçeşme Cemil Topuzlu Park on the European side. Athletes swam approximately 6.5 kilometers against the natural currents of the Bosphorus Strait. The race started at 10:04, with the final swimmer entering the water at 10:54. According to regulations, the event concluded at 12:54. Under TMOK’s safety plan, over 100 marine vessels were deployed, 60 of which served as active safety boats. Each athlete was fitted with a chip on their ankle, and all swimmers were continuously tracked via digital systems throughout the event.

Results and Awards

In the women’s overall category, Su İnal won first place with a time of 58 minutes and 54 seconds. Second place went to Eylül Nisa Çetin with a time of 1 hour 1 minute and 13 seconds, while third place was awarded to Hilal Zeynep Saraç with a time of 1 hour 2 minutes and 21 seconds. In the men’s overall category, Doğukan Ulaç claimed first place with a time of 56 minutes and 49 seconds. Gökhan Yiğitoğlu finished second with 56 minutes and 50 seconds, and Mehmet Çağlar came third with 58 minutes and 18 seconds. All finishers received an “Intercontinental Swimmer Certificate,” and medalists were presented with their awards at a formal ceremony.

Corporate Support and Administrative Structure

The event was coordinated by TMOK in collaboration with the Istanbul Governorate, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, the Ministry of Youth and Sports Istanbul Provincial Directorate, and 26 public institutions and civil society organizations. Sponsors of the event included Sportive, Coca-Cola, Damla Su, Powerade, Memorial, Vakkorama Cafe, Fenerbahçe Doğuş, TRT Spor, TikTok, Power App, and Sports TV.

Notable officials present at the event included Istanbul Deputy Governor Ünal Kılıçarslan, Istanbul Director of Youth and Sports Muhittin Özbay, and Director of Youth and Sports Services at the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Barış Yıldız.

Sustainability Policies

The 2025 edition of the race incorporated various sustainability practices guided by environmental responsibility. The following measures were implemented during the event:

• Waste Management: All waste generated during the event was recycled through cooperation with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.
• Reduction of Single-Use Materials: Recycled plastic and biodegradable materials were used in service areas.
• Carbon Footprint Tracking: EnergySA calculated the carbon emissions of both the event and the athletes, and developed reduction strategies accordingly.
• Marine Cleanliness: İSTAÇ teams cleaned the surface of the Bosphorus prior to the race to safeguard the health of participants.
• Sustainability Awards: For the first time, the Türkay Peker Sustainability Awards were presented to Fatma Nazan Göğen, who participated in the event 37 times, and Şerafettin Sönmez, who participated 36 times.

Missing Athlete

Post-race checks revealed that Nikolai Andreevich Svechnikov, a 30-year-old professional swimming coach from the Russian Federation, did not reach shore after completing the race. Although his ankle chip confirmed his start, no record indicated his passage across the finish line. TMOK and the Istanbul Governorate, in coordination with the Coast Guard Command and the General Directorate of Security, launched an official search and rescue operation.

A total of 100 marine vessels participated in the search efforts, but no trace of Svechnikov was found during extensive scans along the Bosphorus. The Beykoz Public Prosecutor’s Office subsequently initiated an official investigation. TMOK regularly updated the public on developments. It was confirmed that the event’s safety systems, search and rescue procedures, and timeline were fully operational.

History and Previous Achievements

The first Bosphorus Intercontinental Swim took place on 23 July 1989 with only 68 participants. Starting in 2010, completing the race was recognized with the “Intercontinental Swimmer” certificate. In 2016, the event was named “Best Open Water Swimming Event of the Year” by the World Open Water Swimming Association (WOWSA), and in 2019, it ranked first on the list of “The World’s 100 Best Open Water Swimming Races.”

To date, the event has hosted Olympic champions such as Mark Spitz, Inge de Bruijn, Sergei Bubka, and International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry. The fastest time for women was set by Beren Kayrak in 2006 with 40 minutes and 50 seconds, while the men’s record of 38 minutes and 22 seconds was established by Polat Uzer Turnalı in 2021. The athlete with the most victories in the event’s history is Hakan Eskioğlu, who won 10 times.