It is the nightmare scenario no athlete, organizer, or supporter ever wants to face: during this week’s Bosphorus Swim Event, a Russian participant went missing and has yet to be found.
Since Monday, the Turkish Coast Guard has been conducting an intensive search, but despite continuous efforts, the swimmer remains unaccounted for.
The event, a 6.5-kilometer crossing from Istanbul’s Asian side to its European shore, drew some 2,800 participants. Conditions were tough, with strong currents and choppy waters – characteristics that have long defined this iconic swim through the strait that connects two continents. To ensure safety, the waterway was closed to shipping traffic, and more than 100 boats were deployed to monitor the athletes.
Organizers told local media they suspect the swimmer may have become fatigued mid-race and was carried away by the current. Despite the extensive on-water supervision and continuous checks for stragglers, the disappearance only came to light two hours after the race ended, when officials compared participant lists with recorded finishers.