A vivid account of swimming across the Bosphorus from Asia to Europe during the Cross Continental Race reflecting endurance solidarity and hope
I plunged into the Bosphorus in Istanbul and found more than cold water I carried hope and fear across currents that meant to push me off course I did this as part of the annual Bosphorus Cross Continental Swimming Race a challenge for thousands who test their endurance in waters that divide Asia and Europe I had trained for months submitted medical proof joined a swimming club and practiced distance long swims even after jellyfish stings and pool infections I boarded a boat at dawn on the Asian shore with fellow swimmers of all ages nationalities some slow some fast but all determined the water carried us south currents favored us early then shifted near the European shore making every stroke harder I sighted the second bridge and felt relief then currents almost defeated me but grit kept me moving I crossed into Europe with exhaustion and joy I beat the cutoff feeling small and proud watching others finish knowing I had done something few commit to I carried memories of salt wind fatigue but also of solidarity confidence and dreams carried by current currents and hope