"Russian former paratrooper Vitaly Kochnev is the world’s first para-athlete to have conquered the icy waters of Antarctica, swimming 900 metres across George VI Sound without a wetsuit - and spoke about the epic feat from Buenos Aires on March 15. "I can say that this was the hardest swim of my life. I swam without thinking about how difficult it was. I swam without thinking that it was hard, or that I wouldn't be able to do it. I knew I would do it and would keep swimming until the very end, as long as I had the strength. <...> But just a few metres later, at around 900 metres, that was it - I lost consciousness completely and my whole body stopped moving - I couldn't swim any further, but I still set this record for my homeland, for Russia, and for people all over the world," Kochnev explained. Vitaly also encouraged other people with disabilities to follow his lead. "It took me a very long time to get to where I am now and to break records. I love it. I'd just like to say to [people with disabilities] that they shouldn't stay at home, sitting around staring at the TV. There are plenty of sports clubs with accessible facilities these days, and lots of different activities on offer. <...> So I just want to say to people: dream, set goals and move forward," he concluded. Tony Enderli, a swimmer from Switzerland, said that Kochnev had impressed him with his unwavering determination to win despite any obstacles. "That is a true patriot of the heart, the mind and the soul and that gives me goose bumps because that's what the world actually needs, is real inspiration," the swimmer noted. Others described him as inspirational and wished him further success. The 'sports and patriotic' swim took place in King George Bay, Antarctica, from February 28 to March 12. Athletes from Russia, Bulgaria, South Africa, Argentina, the USA, Wales, Poland, Italy, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Switzerland took part in the competition. It was organised by the Federal Agency for the CIS Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and the International Humanitarian Co-operation (Rossotrudnichestvo). According to the International Winter Swimming Association (IWSA), the water temperature at the entry point was 1.9 °C, and the air temperature was around 3 °C. "