Four women. One Channel. One hundred years of history.
Four Women One Channel, One Legacy
On 6 August 1926, a 20-year-old American woman named Gertrude “Trudy” Ederle entered the cold waters of the English Channel.
She was swimming into history.
After approximately 14½ hours, Ederle reached the coast of England and became the first woman to successfully swim the English Channel. She also set a time faster than the existing men's record. Her achievement changed women's sport forever.
One hundred years later, the Channel witnessed another extraordinary moment.
Four women from four different countries entered the water not to break Ederle's record, but to honor her legacy.
Nathalie Pohl Germany
A world-class endurance swimmer and experienced Channel swimmer, Pohl returned to the Channel as part of this historic women's relay.
Jasmine Harrison Great Britain
A remarkable endurance adventurer and world-record holder, Harrison brought the spirit of a new generation of female endurance athletes to this historic challenge.
Mariana Santos Portugal
An accomplished Portuguese open-water swimmer, Santos became an important part of this international team, representing Portugal in this centenary celebration.
Mariam Saleh Binladen Saudi Arabia
Mariam has already made history as the first Saudi woman to swim the English Channel. Her return to the Channel for this centenary relay gave the event an especially powerful meaning.
FOUR WOMEN. FOUR COUNTRIES ONE TEAM.
After several postponements because of difficult weather, the four swimmers finally entered the water.
The sea was rough.
The wind was strong.
The currents were challenging.
But they continued taking turns, supporting one another and carrying the team forward stroke by stroke.
After approximately 48 kilometres and 11 hours 28 minutes, they reached the French coast.
They had done it.
But this was more than a Channel crossing.
It was a connection between 1926 and 2026.
Gertrude Ederle crossed the Channel alone and opened the door for generations of women.
One hundred years later, four women crossed together to celebrate the path she created.
MARIAM'S STORY IS SPECIAL
For the Arab world and especially for the Gulf region, Mariam Saleh Binladen represents something truly special.
She stands as a pioneer of women's endurance swimming in the Gulf, carrying the name of Saudi Arabia onto one of the world's most famous open-water stages.
Mariam is not only an extraordinary swimmer. She is also doing great work in inspiring women and young people to believe in themselves, challenge their limits and discover the power of swimming.
Her journey shows that a woman from the Gulf can stand alongside the world's best endurance swimmers and make history.
Gertrude Ederle opened the door 100 years ago.
Mariam Binladen is helping keep that door open for the next generation in gulf and her home Saudi Arab .
Different countries.
Different generations.
Different stories.
But the same courage.
