Swimming: Limbless swimmer to cross 5 continents

PARIS: A Frenchman who gained fame for swimming the English Channel with no arms or legs has set himself a new challenge to cross five continents in waters marked by sharks, poisonous jellyfish, icy currents and cargo ships.

Philippe Croizon, 43, who lost both his arms and legs in an electrical accident 17 years ago, has begun preparing one year ahead to swim hundreds of kilometres in waters connecting five continents from May to August.

“With this new challenge, we intend to accomplish an act of peace, of solidarity, of sharing with all able-bodied and handicapped men, of all skin colors, cultures and backgrounds combined,” said Croizon.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 25^th, 2011.