Strokes Taken for "Peace and Friendship" In the Mediterranean

A total of 175 athletes from 20 countries participated in the event, which is the only swimming race held between two countries worldwide. Organized annually at the end of the International Lycian Kaş Culture and Arts Festival, the race serves as a significant indicator of friendship between Greece and Turkey.

According to DHA, swimmers crossed over to Meis Island from Kaş by ferry at 07:30 and dove into the water at 08:30. The race was flagged off by Meis Municipality Mayor Nikolaos Asvestis. Italian swimmer Egor Tropeano emerged victorious, completing the 7-kilometer course in 1 hour, 41 minutes, and 55 seconds. Tropeano, a former member of the Italian National Swimming Team, expressed happiness at his first-place finish. Aybige Su Irçağ followed with a time of 1 hour, 47 minutes, and 27 seconds, securing second place overall. In the general standings, Bekir Emrah Gemicioğlu placed third in the men's 55-59 age category.

Tropeano, the race winner, described his joy at participating and winning for the first time. Polat Dede, Chairman of the Megisti Kaş Swim Race Organization Committee, highlighted the successful event with 175 participants completing the race in good health, noting the increasing prestige of the event each year.

Among those completing the 7-kilometer course was Joep Wijnands, the Dutch Ambassador to Ankara, who expressed his happiness after emerging from the water, describing the Megisti-Kaş Swim Race as the best among the swimming races he has participated in.