The man who swam the Amazon
In 2007, 52-year-old Slovenian endurance swimmer Martin Strel became the first person to swim the entire length of the Amazon River. His 3,300-mile route was full of danger.
In 2007, 52-year-old Slovenian endurance swimmer Martin Strel became the first person to swim the entire length of the Amazon River.
It took him 66 days to complete and, over the course of his journey, Strel faced threats such as pirates, sharks, and dengue fever. At 3,300 miles, it’s the longest open swim in history.
He shares his experience of the swim with Hunter Charlton. It’s an Ember Audio production for BBC World Service.
(Photo: Martin Strel pictured in London in 2009. Credit: Getty Images)
Last on
More episodes
Broadcasts
- Sat 6 Apr 2024 04:50GMTBBC World Service East and Southern Africa & Europe and the Middle East only
- Sat 6 Apr 2024 17:50GMTBBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
- Sat 6 Apr 2024 18:50GMTBBC World Service West and Central Africa
- Sat 6 Apr 2024 23:50GMTBBC World Service except Americas and the Caribbean, East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
- Sun 7 Apr 2024 03:50GMTBBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, Europe and the Middle East & West and Central Africa
- Sun 7 Apr 2024 23:50GMTBBC World Service West and Central Africa
- Mon 8 Apr 2024 02:50GMTBBC World Service East and Southern Africa
Podcast
-
Sporting Witness
The inside and personal story of the key moments from sporting history

