Legless, Armless Frenchman Philippe Croizon Swims English Channel | Puttles

It sounds like the opening line of a politically incorrect joke: How did the limbless Frenchman get across the English Channel? But if you put that question to Philippe Croizon, who lost his arms and legs 16 years ago, you'd get a serious and simple answer: flippers, years of training and sheer determination.

The 42-year-old father of two on Saturday became the first quadruple amputee to swim across the English Channel.

"I did it. I'm so happy. I can't believe it. It's crazy," Croizon told French radio after covering the 21 miles from Folkestone in southeastern England to Wissant in northwestern France.

The former metal worker had thought the crossing would take him about 24 hours. But Croizon, using specially designed prostheses, did it in just 13½ hours -- which, until the 1970s, would have counted as one of the fastest channel swims of all time. That speedy time was partly because of favorable winds, gentle seas and, according to his jubilant father, Gerard, the help of three dolphins, which accompanied Croizon for part of the journey. "We took that as a sign of good luck," said Gerard, according to The Guardian.

When he landed in France, Croizon received a phone call from the French minister for families, Nadine Morano, who hailed his "exemplary courage and sporting performance." She added that he had shown his proud nation that "it's possible to overcome your disabilities and have the determination to make your dreams come true."

via puttles.com

Posted via email from Peace Jaway