This is THE meeting place for Senegalese swimmers and even beyond: the crossing between Dakar and Gorée Island. The 35th edition of the sports challenge took place on September 22, 2024 with some 800 registered. On the program, an open water course of 5.2 kilometers for club swimmers and 4.5 km for the others. Report during the final preparations of the starters and at the start of the race.
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With our correspondent in Dakar, Gwendal Lavina
The Voile d’Or beach, the starting point, is crowded. Among the swimmers, Mamadou, who trains all year round. This is his fourth crossing and there is no question of missing the event: ” It is a great challenge for any swimmer. There are others at the international level but, at Senegalit’s the biggest. So, not to do it, we don’t even think about it. »
While the warm-ups continue, no pressure for Fatmé. It must be said that she knows her stuff, with 22 crossings under her belt. It’s just for form’s sake, that’s all.she plays it down. It’s also to meet people, to have a little fun. It’s a game, really. I’m not trying to make a place. The most important thing is to get to the end. “.
At his side, Ousmane, who is leaving for the first time, is a little less serene: ” We are motivated by the crossing but a little stressed too, because it is not every day that we cross from Dakar to Gorée, with 4.5 km of swimming! But it is still okay: the mental state is good. »
” The idea is to arrive! That’s the beauty of this crossing! »
Between two pieces of advice before the swimmers he trains leave, Pape Mapenda Wade insists on the mental aspect. He will follow the race in a kayak. We must morally support them and encourage them.he emphasizes. When they have water in their glasses, you have to clean the glasses. You have to give them water, dates, a few biscuits, so that they start again “.
In the pen, a few seconds before the start, it’s nothing but pleasure for these two swimmers. I’m not stressed, I swim for funlaunches the first one. No pressure, I’m just doing it! “The second one abounds: ” Same! The idea is to arrive! That’s the beauty of this crossing. »
On the men’s side, Ousseynou Diop won for the third consecutive year in 1 hour, 9 minutes and 48 hundredths. While on the women’s side, Seynabou Cissé Ba took her first victory. In total, 756 swimmers completed the race.
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