Bosphorus Intercontinental Swimming Race

Boğaziçi Intercontinental Swimming Race is an international open water swimming event held annually in the Bosphorus Strait of Istanbul, connecting the continents of Asia and Europe by swimming. First held on 23 July 1989, the race is organized by the Turkish National Olympic Committee (TNOC). It contributes to the promotion of Olympic values and is recognized globally as a significant event within the open water swimming community.

36th Boğaziçi Intercontinental Swimming Race (AA)

History

The Boğaziçi Intercontinental Swimming Race was first organized on 23 July 1989 by the Turkish National Olympic Committee (TNOC). Initially, 68 swimmers—64 men and 4 women—competed on a course between Çubuklu and Kuruçeşme in the Bosphorus. In the second year, the starting point was moved to Kanlıca and the course length was extended to approximately 6.5 kilometers, its current distance. This change transformed the race into a more competitive open water event due to its technical challenges and natural current conditions.

From the 1990s onward, the race opened to international participation and gained global recognition, particularly after athletes from Czechoslovakia and the United States began competing starting in 1992. Since 2010, all participants who successfully complete the race have been awarded the title and certificate of “Intercontinental Swimmer.” This practice has become both a major source of motivation and an important symbol of prestige for swimmers.

The race has been held annually without interruption to date and, over its more than 35-year history, has brought together tens of thousands of swimmers from five continents to the Bosphorus. In 2023, 1,310 foreign athletes from 78 countries and 1,331 athletes from Türkiye participated. Additionally, the race was honored as “Best Open Water Swimming Event of the Year” by the World Open Water Swimming Association (WOWSA) in 2016 and ranked first in its list of “The World’s 100 Best Open Water Swimming Races” in 2019.

Swimmers and Records

Both professional and amateur open water swimmers participate in the race. Participants exhibit great diversity in age, nationality and experience. The event is not only a sporting competition but also an international platform that showcases Istanbul’s historical and cultural richness.

Among the notable course records in the Boğaziçi Intercontinental Swimming Race is the men’s record of 38 minutes and 55 seconds set by Polat Uzer Turnalı in 2021. For the women’s category, the most recent recorded time is 40:55, achieved by Nida Eliz Üstündağ in 2022. The claimed record of 40:50.35 by Beren Kayrak in 2006 has not been verified by current sources.

Course

The race begins at Kanlıca Pier and ends at Cemil Topuzlu Park in Kuruçeşme, covering a distance of approximately 6.5 kilometers. Swimmers must contend with surface currents of the Bosphorus; straying from the central course line risks being caught in opposing currents. Participants are required to orient themselves toward the European continent by referencing key landmarks in Istanbul during the race. Swimmers who pass under the Bosphorus Bridge instead of reaching the finish line are disqualified. Prior to the race, guided tours in Turkish, English and Russian are organized to familiarize participants with the Bosphorus Strait.

Participation Rules

General Rules

• Participants must be medically fit to compete and must declare that they have no physical or mental condition that would prevent them from participating.
• Only swimmers who pass the preliminary selection and ranking criteria may enter. Participants must declare their swimming times or compete in qualifying events during the official registration period.
• Participants are deemed to acknowledge the inherent risks of open water swimming, including dehydration, hypothermia, collision, cardiac arrest and drowning.

Course and Navigation Rules

• The race starts at Kanlıca Pier and finishes at Cemil Topuzlu Park in Kuruçeşme, with a total distance of approximately 6.5 kilometers.
• Swimmers must remain alert to surface and underwater currents and stay within the central course line.
• Swimmers who pass under the Bosphorus Bridge are disqualified, as this constitutes deviation from the official race course.

Disqualification Conditions

Swimmers are disqualified under the following circumstances:

• Deviation from the race course resulting in failure to reach the finish line or endangering personal safety.
• Failure to comply with official instructions or refusal to cooperate during emergencies.
• Receiving any external assistance during the race or using auxiliary systems (e.g., being carried by currents or clinging to rescue equipment).

Swimming Equipment and Safety Rules

• Participants must wear a swim cap and swimsuit approved by the organizers. Auxiliary equipment such as swim gloves, fins and snorkels are prohibited.
• Participants must pass a medical check and attend a technical briefing organized by the event committee prior to the race.
• Any swimmer who perceives danger must immediately raise their hand and signal the nearest safety officer. Race boats will intervene in such cases.

Certificate and Awards

• Since 2010, every swimmer who successfully completes the course is awarded the “Intercontinental Swimmer” certificate.
• At the conclusion of the race, medals, plaques and special prizes determined by sponsors are awarded to athletes who place in the overall and age-group classifications.