Society

Triathletes swim in Osaka Castle moat

Jun 26 (NHK) - Athletes from around the world took part in a triathlon with a difference on Sunday. They began with a 750 meter swim along the moat of Osaka Castle.

It's the first time the International Triathlon Union has used a castle moat.

The venue was chosen to highlight the tourist attraction. People are usually banned from swimming in the moat.

Organizers say they cleared the moat of algae and met the water quality standards of Japan's Environment Ministry. They say the water temperature was 27 degrees Celsius.

After the swim, athletes cycled 20 kilometers through a high-rise district and ran 5 kilometers in the park.

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