Swimmers cross Aegean waters in symbol of Turkish-Greek friendship
Hundreds of swimmers crossed the waters between Türkiye and Greece on June 28 as part of a swimming marathon promoting friendship, peace and solidarity across the Aegean.
Held within the 27th International Lycia-Kaş Culture and Art Festival, the annual marathon began in the early morning on the Greek island of Megisti (Kastellorizo) and finished at the harbor in the Turkish resort town of Kaş.
Competitors tackled a demanding 7-kilometer route across the Mediterranean before being welcomed at the finish line by cheering spectators. A separate 3.5-kilometer race also drew strong participation.
In the women’s 7-kilometer race, Italy’s Alice Faccini claimed first place, followed by Lithuania’s Anna Aleksandrova and Russia’s Aleksandra Brykova. Greece’s Nikolaos Simantiras won the men’s race, while Türkiye’s Bekir Emrah Gemicioğlu finished second and the United States’ Jakob İlhan İçimsoy placed third.
