62-Year-Old Swimmer Diana Nyad Pulled From Water Halfway Through Fourth Attempt to Swim From Cuba to Florida
Today marked a disappointing end to what was 62-year-old endurance swimmer Diana Nyad's fourth attempt to swim from Cuba to Florida. Nyad was pulled from the water this morning after severe thunderstorms, jellyfish stings, and severe sunburn had crippled her progress.
In an earlier report, Fox News reporter Phil Keating described the situation by saying, "Everything that could go wrong, apparently did."
Nyad was about halfway through the 103-mile trek having had already swum for 60 straight hours when
she was forced to call off the journey. On top of her jellyfish wounds and sunburn, sharks were apparently circling her and her flotilla throughout the night on Monday.
In remarks given in Cuba before she embarked on the swim, Nyad told reporters of her purpose in continuing to attempt the feat.
"Believe me, there are many deep personal reasons ... athletic reasons, reasons of wanting to feel alive at the age of 62, but along with that, in total sincerity is my desire to show the connection between this beautiful country and our beautiful country."
This was Nyad's third attempt since last summer to become the first person to swim the length in open waters.
