Meet the 64-Year-Old Woman Who Made History With a Cuba-to-Florida Swim

On Monday, US endurance swimmer Diana Nyad completed a 53-hour swim from Cuba to Florida, making her the first person to ever do so without a shark cage for protection. Before Nyad left Havana on Saturday, the 64-year-old swimmer said, "I admit there's an ego rush," adding, "If I — three days from now, four days from now — am still somehow bringing the arms up and I see the shore . . . I am going to have a feeling that no one yet on this planet has ever had."
This was Nyad's fifth attempt at completing the 110-mile swim, following attempts in 1978, 2011, and 2012. As she arrived on the shore of Key West, FL, on Monday along with her 35-person safety team, she was surrounded by crowds, who cheered and snapped pictures of the incredible moment. "I have three messages," she said when she reached the sand. "One is, we should never, ever give up. Two is, you're never too old to chase your dream. Three is, it looks like a solitary sport, but it is a team."
She gained support from a few big names, too, including President Barack Obama, who tweeted, "Congratulations to @DianaNyad. Never give up on your dreams." Hillary Clinton also chimed in on Twitter, writing, "Flying to 112 countries is a lot until you consider swimming between 2. Feels like I swim with sharks — but you actually did it! Congrats!"