On August 30, the 38th International Çanakkale Strait Swimming Race brought together 1,434 athletes — including 254 international swimmers — in the historic waters of the Dardanelles. Organized by the Çanakkale Rotary Club under Rotary District 2440, the event once again united continents, cultures, and hearts through sport.
Starting from the European shore at Eceabat and finishing on the Asian side at Çanakkale Pier, swimmers covered the 6,482-meter course with strokes symbolizing friendship, peace, and solidarity. Inspired by the timeless legend of Hero and Leandros, the race conveyed a strong message of unity to the world.
Club President Sevil Ural highlighted the spirit of the day: “Every stroke was dedicated with gratitude to Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and all the heroes of our Independence Struggle. This event is not only a race, but also a celebration of Victory Day that promotes peace and fellowship.”
District 2440 Governor Adnan Sözeri emphasized Rotary’s role in bringing people together: “Today, we connected not only Europe and Asia, but also peace, friendship, and human values. As Rotarians, we take pride in building bridges of fellowship both in service and in sport.”
With the support of public institutions, sponsors, and 380 volunteers, the race was carried out with the highest safety standards. The women’s overall title went to 16-year-old Çiğdem Ezo Topaloğlu with a time of 56:03, while Steven Claes from Belgium won the men’s category in 51:03.
The Çanakkale Strait once again proved to be more than just a body of water — it became a symbol of history, unity, and Rotary’s enduring spirit of service.