The man who swam the Amazon
In 2007, 52-year-old Slovenian endurance swimmer Martin Strel became the first person to swim the entire length of the Amazon River. His 3,300-mile route was full of danger.
In 2007, 52-year-old Slovenian endurance swimmer Martin Strel became the first person to swim the entire length of the Amazon River.
It took him 66 days to complete and, over the course of his journey, Strel faced threats such as pirates, sharks, and dengue fever. At 3,300 miles, it’s the longest open swim in history.
He shares his experience of the swim with Hunter Charlton. It’s an Ember Audio production for BBC World Service.
(Photo: Martin Strel pictured in London in 2009. Credit: Getty Images)
Last on
Broadcasts
- Sat 6 Apr 202404:50GMTBBC World Service East and Southern Africa & Europe and the Middle East only
- Sat 6 Apr 202417:50GMTBBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
- Sat 6 Apr 202418:50GMTBBC World Service West and Central Africa
- Sat 6 Apr 202423:50GMTBBC World Service except Americas and the Caribbean, East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
- Sun 7 Apr 202403:50GMTBBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, Europe and the Middle East & West and Central Africa
- Sun 7 Apr 202423:50GMTBBC World Service West and Central Africa
- Mon 8 Apr 202402:50GMTBBC World Service East and Southern Africa
Podcast
![]()
Sporting Witness
Personal stories of amazing moments from sporting history told by people who were there



