According to Taiwanese media reports, the Sun Moon Lake swimming event for thousands of people started today. Although Typhoon hit and the rain fell, more than 18,000 swimmers took to the water with enthusiasm. The spectacular scene of "thousands of people sinking dumplings" reappeared. Former Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou also entered the water challenge for the ninth time, joking that everyone "can't swim faster than him."
Ma Ying-jeou (in black and red swimsuit) Source: Taiwan media
The Sun Moon Lake International Ten Thousand People Swimming Crossing Event, which was suspended last year due to the new coronavirus epidemic, resumed this year. Before the event officially started, Ma Ying-jeou, Nantou County Mayor Lin Mingqin and others first carried out swimming at Shuishe Wharf. After releasing 10,000 bent-back fish fry, they then went to the Chaowu Pier to participate in the opening ceremony and fired a gun for the contestants, announcing the official start of this year's 10,000-person swimming event. Ma Ying-jeou also entered the water for the 9th time to challenge and made a "ten thousand year old joke". He said he only had one request, "Everyone must swim fast, but not faster than him."
Ma Ying-jeou also blew the whistle for the swimming event and, accompanied by and , entered the water to challenge at about 8:15 a.m. Ma Ying-jeou swam for 1 hour and 39 minutes in 2018 and 1 hour and 39 minutes in 2019 and 2020. They are 2 hours and 10 minutes and 2 hours and 3 minutes. This year, they are also pursuing to break the record of the previous year and hope to complete the 3-kilometer swim within 2 hours.
Nantou County Government pointed out that due to the epidemic, this year’s swim requires 3 doses of vaccine before registration. High standards of epidemic prevention are adopted. The number of applicants is not as good as the more than 20,000 people in previous years. Only 18,709 people signed up. Today’s team registration rate is 90% ,
Lin Zheyu, who is currently studying at Soochow University in Taiwan, is a 4-year-old Lin Zheyu won the championship in the general men's category of swimming across Sun Moon Lake in 4 minutes. In a joint interview with the media, Lin Zheyu pointed out that he also participated in the open water swimming championship that debuted yesterday. Although it rained heavily when we started today, the sky cleared up halfway through the swim. , it is very comfortable to swim, the water level is not too high or too cold, and today’s results are better than yesterday.
However, the Yongdu rescue station stated that in previous years, there were more swimmers seeking help at the shore. However, this year due to heavy rain before the swim, many people came ashore shortly after entering the water because the water temperature was too cold. Therefore, uncharacteristically, the water temperature was too cold. On the contrary, there were more swimmers at the ambulance station. As of 9 a.m., about 20 people had been treated. Most of them suffered from hypothermia and cramps. Fortunately, they were not serious.
The Nantou County Government pointed out that in order to prevent the epidemic, in addition to requiring swimmers to be vaccinated, swimmers must wear masks before entering the water. When swimmers arrive at the water, their masks must be thrown into the mask recycling bag prepared by the conference. There are also wipers at the landing area. Hand tissues and masks are provided. Swimmers receive masks and put them on when they go ashore, and leave the pier as soon as possible after receiving lunch boxes. (Editor: Fang Yanyan)
