Visually Impaired Swimmer Forbidden From Crossing The Bosphorus

Visually Impaired Swimming Championship of Turkey gold-medalist Selami Pazar is angry about being rejected for the 26^th Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swimming Race.

"I’ve dreamt of crossing continents swimming since I was a child. The fact that I am being denied the chance is discrimination,” he says.

Manisa provice born 41-year-old Selami Pazar lost both eyes at an explosion during his mandatory military service in Şırnak province in 1993. His left arm and right leg were injured as well.

Six Points Association of the Blind executive board member Pazar began distance education in the meantime and advanced to high-school level.

Pazar, who got veteran status, wished to develop his childhood dream of swimming ever since that day. However, there was no instructor in Manisa to teach the visually impaired how to swim.

His applications on the matter to the provincial sports headquarters had been left unanswered. Two years ago he received the fruit of his insistance and he was sent an instructor.

"I want to be the first blind person to swim across continents"

Six months after he started training, he won his first gold medal in the Visually Impaired Swimming Championship of Turkey, followed by bronze medals in 100- and 400-meter races.

"I learned to swim in the stream in our village. I had never received formal training. My dream ever since childhood was to swim and to cross the Bosphorus swimming. My dream came true at age 39 and I started to swim.

"Last year I applied to the Çanakkale province cross continental swimming race and was denied entry for safety reasons. I was rejected from the Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swimming Race this year for the same reason.

"I have an instructor with me who can serve as a guide. The safety concern for me is the same as that for anybody else. This is an instance of discrimination. I am upset by it. I wanted to be the first blind person to swim across continents. I would also be making a name for Turkey." (NV)