ISSUE

Our beautiful challenge, the 12th Differently-abled Han River Crossing Swimming Competition

At 10AM on August 25th (Sat), the 『12th Differently-abled Han River Crossing Swimming Competition』 was held at Jamsil Hangang Park.

Since first being held in 2007 to instill the differently-abled with confidence, and to overcome prejudice and discrimination against the differently-abled, the Han River Crossing Swimming Competition, which is in its 12 year this year, has been able to hold the competitions without any major accidents through thorough preparation.

This year a total of 300 athletes including 200 differently-abled athletes and 100 non-differently-abled athletes challenged themselves to cross the Han River over the 1.6km course spanning from Jamsil Hangang Park to Ttukseom Hangang Park.

The participants were divided into the differently-able event and the non-differently-able event and participated after receiving safety education. In the differently-able event, starting order was determined by differently-able type and differently-able class and the participants entered the event with 1 on 1 oversight by safety personnel. Both the differently-able and non-differently-able events are not conducted as record or placement events but are conducted as a finishing event so that it is a competition everyone can enjoy

Seoul city did everything to prepare for the safety of the athletes by using multi-faceted safety management. Even after completion, it provided checks by medical staff, hot tub installation to prepare for hypothermia, provision of warm towels and cold/hot water, preparation of shower facilities etc., to ensure the competition concluded safely. The city did its utmost to allow both differently-able and non-differently-able to enjoy the joy of the unique experience of ‘Han River crossing’ through the safe operation of this competition.

Joo Yong-Tae, the Tourism and Sports Director for Seoul City stated that “in the unusually hot summer this year, we endeavored to safety operate the competition to allow citizens to enjoy the end of summer in the cool Han River” and that “we will work even harder to provide various opportunities to allow the differently-abled to experience watersports where they can more easily and closely experience the Han River for themselves”.

We warmly applaud the passion of the athletes who did their best even in mid-30-degree heat, and would like to thank the life guards, executives and operating personal, and the volunteers.