Swimming – A CHALLENGE to swim around the circumference of Bahrain kicked off at 4am yesterday, with four swimmers dividing up the 170km trek among themselves.
According to the Bahrain Aquatics Federation, the open water swimming challenge is expected to end tomorrow at the Zallaq Beach. The relay swim path took the swimmers to Bahrain Bay and other landmarks.
The swimmers are federation president Abdullah Attiya, board member Fatema Al Mahmeed, along with Saudi swimmer Mariam bin Laden and Scottish-Australian marathon swimmer Andy Donaldson.
The four-part watery relay marathon began at Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea and Spa, with the athletes taking a counter-clockwise path around the country, and the swim is being livestreamed online.
Official observers are following the swimmers throughout the whole journey, both to ensure their safety and to document the challenge.
The challenge is one of the many initiatives by Supreme Council for Youth and Sports first deputy chairman, General Sports Authority chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa aimed at supporting athletes and the sports sector in Bahrain.
According to a statement issued by Shaikh Khalid’s office, the challenge is the first of its kind.
“The swimmers are going on this adventure with close technical and medical supervision, and the necessary precautions and safety measures are being taken,” read the statement.
The challenge’s path around the Bahrain archipelago
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