Society

23 August, 2026 / 14:53

/ 1 hour ago

Moldovan PM, after swimming across Bosphorus Strait with his son, says race ended on European continent, exactly in direction in which Moldova is heading

Prime Minister Vasile Tofan today crossed the Bosphorus Strait as part of a 6.5-kilometer swimming race. The PM completed the aquatic marathon together with his son, to whom he had made this promise at the beginning of this year.

“In last January, I promised my son that we would cross the Bosphorus together, swimming. He trained for almost a year for this race, and I could not break my promise. My son was faster than me – and few things bring more joy to a parent than seeing his/her child surpass them,” Vasile Tofan said in a post published after the competition.

The prime minister admitted that, at the time he made the promise to his son, he had not anticipated that he would hold the position of PM when the race started.

In addition to its personal significance, Vasile Tofan also emphasized the symbolic meaning of the event.

“The race started on the Asian continent and ended on the European one, exactly in the direction in which our country is heading. We are returning to Chisinau with our batteries charged and our hearts full. We have a lot of work waiting for us at home,” Tofan stressed.

The competition in Istanbul has reached its 38th edition this year and is annually organized by the Turkish Olympic Committee. The intercontinental crossing of the Bosphorus is recognized as one of the most spectacular open-water events in the world, attracting over 2,400 swimmers from more countries every year. The course is 6.5 kilometers long, starting from Kanlıca (on the Asian shore) and finishing in Kuruçeşme Cemil Topuzlu Park (on the European shore). During the race, maritime traffic through the Bosphorus Strait is completely suspended.

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