Moldovan PM swims across Bosphorus Strait in 6.5-km race in Istanbul

Prime Minister Vasile Tofan, currently in Istanbul, today is taking part in one of the most spectacular sporting events in the world: swimming across the Bosphorus Strait, between Asia and Europe. For the PM, the participation also has a personal significance, as Tofan admitted he had promised his son, when he turned 14, that they would cross the Bosphorus together.

"I promised my son that we would swim across the Bosphorus together. He has just turned 14 and I had to keep my promise," the prime minister said.

Tofan confessed that, when he made this promise to his son, he had no idea that by the time of the race he would already be Prime Minister of Moldova. Thus, the father’s commitment now comes with an increased public responsibility as well.

"Now I have to keep my promise and I also have to make sure I get a good result, so I don’t embarrass my country," the PM said.

Vasile Tofan says that this experience also carries powerful symbolic meaning. With a route that starts on the Asian side of Istanbul and ends in Europe, the prime minister says he sees in crossing the Bosphorus a direct parallel with the European path of Moldova.

"For my country, this is also a kind of symbolic journey, because we are trying to firmly integrate our country into Europe," Tofan said.

The PM described the event as "a celebration of sport, a celebration of people" and said he enjoyed returning to Istanbul for the atmosphere created around the competition.

In his message, Vasile Tofan also referred to the connection between Moldova and Turkey, noting, in particular, the Gagauz community of Moldova.

"For us, as Moldovans, there is an additional point of connection. We have a small and wonderful people, they are called the Gagauz; they speak a Turkic language and it is a very special culture," the prime minister said, calling this community "a bridge between Moldova and Turkey."

Although he says he is not an experienced swimmer, Tofan is determined to enter the competition and to keep the promise he made to his son.

The 38th edition of the Intercontinental Bosphorus Swimming Race is taking place in Istanbul today, August 23, 2026. The 6.5-km competition runs between the Asian shore (Kanlıca) and the European shore (Kuruçeşme), and is organized by the Turkish National Olympic Committee. Approximately 2,500–3,000 swimmers from dozens of countries are participating in the race. The Bosphorus Strait is closed to navigation for the duration of the event, which is one of Istanbul’s landmark sporting competitions and offers participants the opportunity to swim from Asia to Europe.