Musluoğlu was joined by a total of 1,661 for the 26th edition of the 6.5 kilometre Samsung Bosphorus Cross Continental race, which started at Kanlica on the Asian side of Istanbul and ended in Kuruçeşme Cemil Topuzlu Park on the European side.

Previous competitors have included Mark Spitz, winner of seven Olympic gold medals at Munich 1972, who took part in the event in 2012.

Four-time Olympic champion Inge de Bruijn of The Netherlands was the special guest of the NOCT to help launch the race this year.

"It is a privilege to be invited by the Turkish Olympic Committee and Samsung to meet the young swimmers," said de Bruijn, who is also a five-time world champion and was named Female Swimmer of the Year in 2000 and 2001.

"The Samsung Bosphorus Cross-Continental Race is such a unique race - I've never experienced anything like it."

Inge de Bruin (far left) was the special guest of the NOCT at the Samsung Bosphorus Cross Continental swim in Istanbul ©NOCT




The NOCT says around 1,000 swimmers from Turkey along with 15 athletes with physical impairments and three special athletes, joined 600 international swimmers for the event.

"The 26th Samsung Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swimming Race has been a fantastic success once again this year," said NOCT President Uğur Erdener.

"With a record number of 1,661 athletes competing, this is our biggest race yet.

"The Turkish Olympic Committee, along with our partner Samsung, organise this event each year to inspire Turkey and the rest of the world with the Olympic values of excellence, respect and friendship.

"All of these values have been demonstrated here today by our fantastic swimmers - my congratulations to all participants in the race.

"We hope to see everyone here again next year for another day of competition and festivities at this very special event."