At 03:56 am on Tuesday, a much-anticipated swimming challenge came to an unexpected halt as Neil Agius, was forced to abandon his 100-mile swim attempt due to multiple jellyfish stings.
The incident occurred around 46 kilometres into the swim in the Mallorca – Ibiza channel at approximately 01:00 am.
Despite nearly four hours of battling through the treacherous waters, enduring numerous stings, and making several valiant efforts to continue, Agius found himself overwhelmed by the swelling and pain caused by the jellyfish stings.
Ultimately, he made the difficult decision to prioritise his safety and voluntarily abandon the swim plan.
Expressing his disappointment, Agius stated, “It is so sad to see all that hard work we put into this challenge come to such a premature conclusion. I was feeling strong and ready to go the distance, but fate had other plans.”
Acknowledging the unpredictable nature of the sport he has chosen, Agius emphasised the multitude of variables that can impact such endeavours, some of which are within our control while others are not. He extended his gratitude to all the supporters who had been rooting for him and had provided unwavering support over the past 10 months.
Despite the setback, Agius remains resolute in his commitment to ocean conservation, which he believes is the true challenge that lies ahead. He assured his followers that he would return to face this challenge once again.
As the fleet now makes its way back to Mallorca for safe harbour, plans are underway to hold a press conference where further details about the incident and Agius’s future endeavours will be announced.
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