Crossing Borders to Unite in the Bosphorus Strait

On July 26, more than 1,800 swimmers from 49 countries prepared to swim the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul, Turkey. This body of water separates the Asian and European sides of the city. The first Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swimming Race was held in 1989, and it is the first and only intercontinental swimming competition. On the day of the event, which is organized by the Turkish Olympic Committee (TOC or TNOC) and sponsored by Samsung, the channel is closed to all shipping vessels. Swimmers took off from Kanlıca, on the Asian side of Istanbul and finished the race in Kuruçeşme Cemil Topuzlu Park, on the European side.

The Event

The goal of the Samsung Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swimming Race is to bring people together, with the idea that sports is for everyone. Each year hundreds of amateur swimmers of every age, from every corner of the world, successfully complete the intercontinental swimming competition. Among them this year was renowned endurance swimmer, Adam Walker, who was invited as the TOC’s honorary celebrity guest. Walker is one of only five people to have swum the Oceans 7, the seven toughest channel swims in the world. More impressively, he is only the second person to have ever completed the Oceans 7 on his first attempt.

During the event, Samsung’s experience booth was located at the center point of the event area, attracting more than 1,000 visitors from July 25-26. Samsung’s range of hand-held products (HHP), was displayed throughout the entire event area.

Sponsoring the Spirit of Bosphorus

Samsung Turkey has been sponsoring the Bosphorus Cross-Continental Race since 2003. In 2014, Samsung became the official name sponsor, and the race came to be known as the “Samsung Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swimming Race.” Samsung hopes to strengthen the emotional bond of the brand by showing how Samsung supports local communities through supporting sports.

“This event is a huge source of pride for Samsung. It makes a strong contribution to the promotion of Turkey, and Samsung’s goal is to bring even more awareness to the event through the power of its brand.” said Yoonie Joung, President of Samsung Electronics in Turkey. “At Samsung, we believe that sports has an important mission as a powerful tool that crosses borders and continents, uniting people from different cultures and promoting peace and tolerance. We are proud to host a swimming race, where thousands of swimmers strike out in the Bosphorus Strait, which has become a symbol of removing borders and uniting Asia and Europe.”

President of the TOC, Professor Dr. Uğur Erdener, said, “The Samsung Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swimming Race is one of the world’s most famous swimming competitions which is why it continues to attract record participation year after year. Through our cooperation with Samsung, who has sponsored this race for the last eleven years, we have helped this event grow from a local swim with 68 swimmers into a major international competition featuring thousands of swimmers from across the globe.”