Megisti Kaş Swim Race | 193 athletes from 16 countries, aged 20 to 76, will swim from Megisti/Meis Island in Greece to Kaş
Kaş, one of the world’s most popular holiday destinations, which has been home to many civilizations throughout history and is a favorite spot for tourists, is preparing to host hundreds of swimmers on Sunday, June 25th.
For the 17th time this year, with the slogan “Peace and Friendship,” thousands of sea enthusiasts are coming to Kaş for the unique race, which will be held at the end of the International Lycian Kaş Cultural and Art Festival, as it is every year. Swimmers from all around the world will dive into the crystal blue waters of the Mediterranean on Sunday, June 25th, when the race will start.
The excitement of the race organized by Rossist Event, which has brought together hundreds of international athletes in our country through its sports events, has spread throughout the entire Mediterranean. 193 athletes from 16 countries will swim against the current in the clear waters of the Mediterranean, starting from Megisti/Meis Island, the nearest land to the neighboring country of Greece, and reaching the popular holiday destination of Kaş. In this race, a first-ever event will take place, as a special athlete with Down syndrome will participate. Emrah Gökhan Kotan will achieve a first by swimming 7 kilometers for the first time in the world. Emre Deliveli will accompany him. The unique race, which will start at 9:00 am on Sunday, June 25th, invites all sports enthusiasts to Kaş, renowned for its climate, turquoise coves, historical and cultural heritage, and priceless beauty, with its 7-kilometer course.
The Megisti Kaş Swim Race, which will host the Mediterranean’s aquarium-like sea, will take place on Sunday, June 25th, with the main sponsorship of Kaş Municipality and Radisson Blu Hotel Kaş, supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Kaş Governorship, Turkish Swimming Federation, and Turkish Sports Writers Association, and co-sponsored by MK Group, with accommodation sponsorship from MEKVIN Hotels.
Press conference for the race was held at Radisson Blu Hotel Kaş
The press conference for the Megisti Kaş Swim Race, which includes world-renowned record-breaking athletes from our country, took place at Radisson Blu Hotel Kaş, one of the main sports venues of the race, with great interest.
The press conference was attended by Kaş Mayor Mutlu Ulutaş, MK Group Executive Vice President Kemal Gürsoy, Ufuk Güven, who brought the race to life in 2005, elite swimmers Sera Sayar Yakimoviç, Ruso Yakimoviç, Ahmet Nakkaş, Race Director and Rossist Event Founder Polat Dede.
The Mayor of Kaş, Mutlu Ulutaş, who talks about the value of the strokes taken for friendship and peace, said, “Dear members of the press, welcome to our press conference. We have inaugurated the opening of the 24th Likya Kaş Festival, which we organize for the 24th time. One of the most important activities within the scope of the three-day festival is the swimming race from Greece to Kaş… The Megisti Kaş Swim Race takes our festival to an international level and excites us every year. Societies bond with each other through sports, art, and activities. As the Municipality of Kaş, we are contributing to this. There has been a beautiful friendship between Meis and Kaş from the past until today. Such events also contribute to strengthening these relationships. Our athletes will swim for peace and friendship. I want these strokes to be instrumental in fostering friendship, peace, and brotherhood. Kaş’s doors are open to everyone, and I invite everyone to witness the historical and natural beauties of Kaş. I thank all our friends and stakeholders who have contributed to the start of this event and wish all our athletes good luck.”
Kemal Gürsoy, the Deputy Chairman of MK Group Executive Board, expressed his thoughts on the race with the following words: “Dear members of the press, welcome. We are going to witness an epic race here. This special race will take place in Kaş, one of Turkey’s most popular places. As a person from Kaş myself, it is very important for me to contribute to such an organization. It is a proud moment for us to bring you all together here and unite the two countries. As the MK Group and Radisson Blu Hotel Kaş family, we assure you that we will provide all our support to make Kaş more beautiful and of higher quality.”
Elite Athlete Sera Sayar Yakimoviç said, “This will be my first swim from Meis Island. I am actually an Ironman athlete, and it will be my first time swimming 7 kilometers. I have encountered challenging weather conditions in open water races I have swum before. Now, swimming in the beautiful sea of Kaş excites me a lot.”
National Athlete Ahmet Nakkaş said, “I am very happy to be here. I became a national athlete in the 1984 Olympics. I have represented our country in numerous ways all around the world. Sports is about the spirit, and when you put forth that spirit, the results turn out well. The unifying power of sports is also very important for Greek-Turkish friendship. I wish all my fellow athletes success.”
Tourism Entrepreneur Ufuk Güven, who launched the race in 2005, said, “In our first race, we had a hard time finding 37 people. On a Sunday morning, we crossed to Greece on a wonderful day. Then the Mayor of Meis came and played Zeki Müre’s song from a window, and then we started the race. Our friendship with Greece is so strong and special. We started with 37 people in our first race, and now we have reached 193 people. This is very prideful for us. I wish success to the competitors who have taken on the greatest responsibility here.”
Race Director and Founder of Rossist Event, Polat Dede, shared his thoughts on the race with the following words: “Dear mayor, dear director, dear elite athletes… Our adventure, which started with the question ‘Can we swim from Kaş to Meis Island?’ in 2005, is being organized for the 17th time within the scope of the Likya Kaş Festival this year. We thank all our stakeholders and supporters who have helped us host 193 athletes from 16 countries in this beautiful race. I have always wanted to make this race one of the best in the world, and we will work every year to fill the application quota and promote Kaş and our country to the world. We really want to host more athletes and show the beauty of Kaş. We wish all our athletes success.”
193 athletes from 16 countries gather in Kaş
The Megisti Kaş Swim Race, which will be held for the 17th time this year, has attracted spectators and athletes from all over the world. In the race, which will be held under the motto of “Peace and Friendship,” hundreds of athletes from 16 countries will compete in the cool waters of the Mediterranean, following the waves. Turkey, Greece, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, along with Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, Georgia, the Netherlands, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Japan, Macedonia, and Russia, a total of 16 countries, will send 193 athletes who will swim from Megisti Island to Kaş, amidst the unique landscape of Kaş and the remnants of prehistoric civilizations.
Everyone from the age of 20 to 76 is in Kaş for “Peace and Friendship”
The race, which requires discipline, concentration, dedication, and much more, presents athletes with a challenging 7-kilometer course. Of the athletes participating in the race, 136 are men, and 57 are women. The age distribution of the race that will take place against the current in the cool waters of the Mediterranean is as follows: 18-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+.
Footnotes:
- The Megisti Kaş Swim Race is an annual event that brings together athletes from around the world to swim from Megisti/Meis Island in Greece to Kaş, Turkey.
- The race is organized by Rossist Event, a company known for hosting international sports events in Turkey.
- This year, a total of 193 athletes from 16 countries are participating in the race, making it a truly international event.
- The athletes range in age from 20 to 76, showcasing the diversity and inclusivity of the race.
- The race takes place in the crystal blue waters of the Mediterranean, providing a breathtaking setting for the swimmers.
- Emrah Gökhan Kotan, a special athlete with Down syndrome, will be participating in the race, making it a historic and inspiring moment.
- The race starts at Megisti/Meis Island, the nearest land to Greece, and finishes in Kaş, a popular holiday destination known for its natural beauty and historical heritage.
- The Megisti Kaş Swim Race is part of the International Lycian Kaş Cultural and Art Festival, which adds to the festive atmosphere surrounding the event.
- The race promotes peace and friendship, bringing people from different countries together through the shared love of swimming.
- The event is supported by various organizations, including the Kaş Municipality, Radisson Blu Hotel Kaş, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Kaş Governorship, Turkish Swimming Federation, and Turkish Sports Writers Association.
- The press conference for the race was held at Radisson Blu Hotel Kaş, a significant venue for the event.
- Kaş Mayor Mutlu Ulutaş emphasized the importance of friendship and peace in his speech at the press conference.
- Kemal Gürsoy, the Deputy Chairman of MK Group Executive Board, expressed his pride in contributing to the race and making Kaş a better place.
- Elite athlete Sera Sayar Yakimoviç shared her excitement about participating in the race and swimming in the beautiful sea of Kaş.
- National athlete Ahmet Nakkaş highlighted the unifying power of sports and its significance for Greek-Turkish friendship.
- Ufuk Güven, the tourism entrepreneur who initiated the race in 2005, reminisced about the humble beginnings of the event and expressed his pride in its growth.
- Polat Dede, the Race Director and Founder of Rossist Event, expressed his gratitude to all stakeholders and his commitment to making the race one of the best in the world.
- The race attracts spectators and athletes from all over the world, showcasing the international appeal of the event.
- The athletes participating in the race come from a variety of countries, including Turkey, Greece, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, among others.
- The age range of the participants demonstrates that the race is open to individuals of all ages, with competitors ranging from 20 to 76 years old.
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