It all went swimmingly… as Diana Nyad completes Cuba-Florida swim
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.On her fifth attempt and aged 62, the American endurance swimmer Diana Nyad yesterday finally achieved her nearly life-long quest of becoming the first person to swim 103 miles from Cuba to the United States without the protection of a shark cage.
Exhausted and sunburned, a wobbly Ms Nyad emerged from the water onto a crowded holiday beach in Key West, Florida shortly before 2pm, a full 53 hours after she set out from the Cuban capital, Havana.
Ms Nyad, who is a journalist and motivational speaker, made her first attempt to swim the Florida straits between the two countries back in 1978. She also tried three times in 2011 and 2012, the last time giving up in part because of stings to her face by aggressive jelly fish.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments