Never too old: 64-yr-old swimmer makes history

Diana Nyad, 64, swam into the history books on September 2 after completing a 3-day crossing from Cuba to Florida to become the first person to do so without a protective shark cage. A visibly exhausted Nyad, her face puffy and sunburned, told cheering crowds as she walked ashore that she realized her lifetime quest after 4 previous attempts failed amid stormy weather and jellyfish attacks. She was accompanied by 5 boats and a team of divers as she braved the perilous waters. Initially, the veteran swimmer had hoped to complete the treacherous 100-mile (160-kilometer) trek in 80 hours. But in the end, she did it in 52 hours, 54 minutes and 18.6 seconds, according to her Facebook page. Nyad’s pursuit was followed closely by people around the globe, who took to social media to first encourage and then congratulate her.

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