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Spyros Chrysikopoulos reflects on historic swim: “It can only be achieved with soul”

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Outcome reported
  • Greek ultramarathon swimmer Spyros Chrysikopoulos became the first person to swim from Greece to Italy across the Strait of Otranto.
  • He covered 91.4 kilometers from Othonoi to Santa Maria di Leuca in 31 hours and 50 minutes of continuous swimming.
  • Chrysikopoulos completed the challenge after abandoning a 2024 attempt because of bad weather and jellyfish.

“It can only be achieved with soul,” Spyros Chrysikopoulos wrote after completing a historic swim across the Strait of Otranto.

The 43-year-old Greek ultramarathon swimmer became the first person to swim from Greece to Italy, covering the route from the port of Othonoi to Santa Maria di Leuca. He swam 91.4 kilometers and completed the attempt after 31 hours and 50 minutes in the water.

It can only be achieved with soul.

· Spyros ChrysikopoulosHe used the phrase in a social media post about completing the Strait of Otranto crossing.

Chrysikopoulos described the crossing as the real open-water challenge. He began at Othonoi, crossed the Strait of Otranto and finished in Italy, despite what he called genuinely difficult weather conditions.

The achievement followed an unsuccessful attempt in 2024. Bad weather and jellyfish forced him to abandon that effort. Two years later, he returned and completed the crossing, adding a new milestone to open-water swimming.

Starting from the port of Othonoi. Crossing the Otranto Strait. Finishing in Italy. The coast is beautiful too, but this is the real Open Water. To dare to cross the Otranto passage in truly difficult weather. It can only be achieved with soul.

· Spyros ChrysikopoulosHis description of the route and conditions during the historic swim.
About this summary

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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