Dakar-Gorée Swim

The Dakar-Gorée Swim (French: Traversée Dakar-Gorée) is an annual open water swimming event between the beach of Dakar and Gorée island. The competition is split into a 4500 m race for amateurs and a 5200 m course. The 2020 edition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 epidemic.

History
The Dakar-Gorée crossing was launched in 1985 as a homage to the victims of slavery who displayed resilience by attempting to swim, often in chains, towards freedom. The first edition of the swim took place on October 15, 1985, during the International Youth Year. Around thirty participants set off from the harbor of the Autonomous Port of Dakar for this inaugural edition, covering a distance of 3500 m.

Since 2001, the Senegalese Swimming and Lifesaving Federation decided to adhere to the standards of the International Swimming Federation (FINA), increasing the distance of the Dakar-Gorée crossing to 5000 m, starting from the Voile d'Or beach in Dakar.

In 2004, the competition saw over 600 participants, both men and women, Senegalese and foreigners.

It was in 2008 that the Senegalese Swimming and Lifesaving Federation decided to organize two starts: race A (7800 m), starting from Thiaroye, and race B (4500 m) with the starting point at the Voile d'Or beach. The 2008 innovation has been maintained since then, but both races now start from the same location (Voile d'Or), with a change in distance for race A, which now covers 5200 km.

In 2012, the 4500 m race for amateurs saw the participation of 410 individuals, while the race for experienced swimmers, licensed club members, covering 7800 m, was contested by 66 individuals, according to the organizers.

It has been a recurring event throughout its history, except in 2020 and 2021 when it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Description
As of 2023, two race categories are held during the event: Race A, which spans 5,200 meters and is attended by professional swimmers starting from Voile d'Or; and Race B, designed for amateurs, which in 2023 saw participation from around 400 swimmers.