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August 6th, 2011
06:55 PM ET
Diana Nyad says big swim is SundayThe big moment is here, distance swimmer Diana Nyad says. On Saturday she tweeted, "It's my time to be fearless." If all goes according to plan, late Sunday or early Monday she'll begin her attempt to set a world record, swimming in the open water, without a shark cage, from Cuba to Key West, Florida. It's 103 miles; she expects it'll take at least 60 hours. CNN is the only network accompanying Nyad, 61, on her swim. We'll be at Nyad's Havana news conference on Sunday, then board one of Nyad's chase boats, and keep you up to date in real time or close to it. In 1978, Nyad attempted this same swim. After just over 40 hours in the water, her team pulled her; high waves and strong currents had pushed her too far off course. That experience has driven her toward this swim. "Visions of 1978, those smashing 8-ft seas, flash through my brain. Not this time. Strong memories of the hardships of these past two years make me strong and determined not to waste all that disciplined time put in," she wrote in her blog Saturday. Coming on CNN: Diana Nyad's Xtreme Dream
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Good Luck on your difficult swim
@St23– you do not hope that. Now go to your room
Wow – some people are really stupid!!!!!
immigration better be on the beach to arrest
"Good luck on your swim, may God watch over you..we are on vacation in Key West right now and look forward to watching you step up to dry land on your triumphant moment."
Cuba is a prison established by the assassin Che Guevara and the murderer Fidel Castro and they have enslaved the beautiful people for 50 years – break free of your chains and destroy the Cuban communist system now. Un abrazo a mis amigos en La Habana...
Cuba is a prison established by the CIA, Batista, President Eisenhover and the embargo. Where does the US get the authority to embargo a free nation? Oh! I get it. Castro kicked out the CIA established dictator Batista without our permission.
We have another prison on Cuban soil: Guantanamo. We like democracy – our way. Serving the rich and powerful.
Are you a descendant of one of the wealthy families who enjoyed a privileged, soft and easy life under Batista, while millions of Cubans suffered in poverty under the Cuban free enterprise system, prior to Che Guevara's liberation efforts? Just wondering ...
Castro brothers own and have enslaved entire race of peoples as their own plantation, People of Cuba want FREEDOM !
Big words from the Castro lovers... Too bad Cubans don't have the Internet and tell you what they really thing about Castro...
To Paganguy. The U.S. embargo against Cuba is just between the US and Cuba. Every other nation in the world is free to trade with Cuba. You seem to have a misunderstanding of what the embargo consists of, and you appear to have this impression that the US stops Cuba from trading with other countries. Cuba is poor because of its own policies ... not because of the US embargo. It is a failed state, only surviving because of Soviet assistance, and now with Venezuelan assistance.
@NealR2000: Uh, Cuba is surviving on much more than just Soviet aid. Canada is one of the countries helping Cuba out the most. A number of European countries, France in particular, also help Cuba. I'm sorry that you were brainwashed into believing that Russia and Cuba are spawns of the devil because they deal with the communist system, but perhaps it's time for you to get up to date on what's actually going on around the World. As far as Cuba goes in terms of wealth, they're doing much better than most of the other countries in the region. Cuba's #1 source of income is tourism, and they make a ton from it. The vast majority of people i've spoken to who've been to Cuba and spoken with the people there say they're up-beat and happy for the most part. That's not to say Cuba doesn't have their share of problems, but then again no country is without their problems. You don't have to look very far for that fact, just look at the United States of America. Nuff said.
The headline says "... Sunday." The story says "... Sunday or early Monday ...." You can't have it both ways.
The story also says she is having a news conference Sunday. It should say there is a scheduled news conference. That's because if the news conference is canceled - maybe she will be sick - your story will be wrong. It seems CNN.com makes most of their mistakes like these on weekends.
... and the grab line (or whatever it's called) says "Nyad: Swim to Cuba begins Sunday"
rumour has it she's swimming *from* cuba. jeez cnn, maybe spend some of that30 billion a year in revenue on a copy editor or two?
Go Diana! You rock!
The headline also says she's swimming to Cuba. As the only news source to accompany her, you would think they would be able to get it right and report that she is attempting to swim FROM Cuba to Florida, not TO Cuba. Great proofreading, CNN.
Good luck. You are an inspiration! My prayers are with you.
You could at least mention that she is following the footsteps (or strokes) of Australian Susie Maroney who swam from Mexico to Cuba in 1998 – 197km (122 miles).
Not the same thing. Maroney swam in a shark cage.
Nyad tried it first–in 1978–and I've been a fan of hers ever since. Go, Diana!
look out for the narco subs
I wish her the best of luck, but this lady is just too old to be trying that swim. I'd be shocked if someone in their 20s could make it.
I wonder why it took so long from her failed 1978 attempt to this one, more than 30 years later. Does she feel that was a loose end she needed to take care of, even at the age of 61?
She is too old or you THINK (using the term loosely) she is too old?
Bad timing... doesn't she know it's shark week?
She has one of the most approprate surnames in history. (A naiad is a water sprite.) If she could make it 40 years ago, what makes her think she can do it now?
Did you read the line, "...high waves and strong currents had pushed her too far off course."
zagool, you should check the weather forecast. There's a storm brewing in the Caribbean.
Maybe the storm will help propel her to Key West quicker!
It's exciting and admirable, I'm sure, but it won't be accomplished. Stay out of the sun and enjoy your family. Best of luck.
Best of luck to her. I hope she remembers that she was in her 20s when she last attempted this, not her 60s. Also, the waters are warm. Keep an eye out for sharks. Hope she makes it.
She is not going to make it,much,much too old
The Cuban government doesn't allow its citizens to do a swim from Cuba to Miami because if it did Cuba would become the swimming capital of the world and cubans would hold the world record until eternity or until the Castros leave, whichever comes first.
What's BS about someone pursuing a dream? I call BS on anyone slamming someone for doing that.
Some people dream of winning the hot dog eating contest at Coney Island. I call it stupid...U mad?
Elian, that was SOOOOO cheeky!!!!
and so RIGHT ON!
I can't believe the stupidity of some of the commenters here (well, maybe I can). Don't you think someone who is a professional swimmer, athlete, expedition planner, would have a vast team of experts to help her in any eventuality? Duh...sharks aren't really a problem, and haven't been on these types of expeditions, at least lately, because of lots of new technology. And as for her age, she's actually in better shape now than she was 30 years ago, her advanced age notwithstanding. And she hasn't been sitting on her (old) as* for thirty years, she's been training and completing long distance swims, breaking records for many of them. For the idiots, go smarten up here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diana_Nyad.
Thank you, Smarter, well said! Some people don't realize that they are morons.
Don't worry about the sharks since they don't go for old wrinkled asses
Hopefully the sharks there are already well fed. Shark 1 to Shark 2: "Oh I'm stuffed - I couldn't even *look* at another swimmer..."
I don't believe she will make it. I don't believe she will be bothered by sharks, I just don't believe she has the strength to swim 103 miles.
Because you know her personally?
Ms Nyad is one of the strongest (in mind and body) athletes around....and suppose by some happenstance she fails...?? there is no shame in failure, only in failing to attempt a goal in the first place. She continues to inspire swimmers and athletes of all ages and abilities.
hey fingers, why so mean–she's not hurting you!
Paganguy, you really don't know what you're talking about. I guess you weren't alive when Castro came to power. He didn't "kick the CIA established dictator, Batista, out of Cuba without our permission." We financed his revolution and helped him depose Batista and then when he had accomplished his – and our – stated purpose, he decided to align himself with our worst enemy at the time, Russia. THAT'S why there is an embargo – because he betrayed us. However, that all happened more than 50 years ago and it's time for us to get over the betrayal.
Do you feel ashamed/embarassed that you have to lie so blatantly to "prove your point"? Just wondering.
Brava, Diana! Swim, Woman, swim!
I think this shows an awesome amount of courage. But if avoiding nasty seas is a goal, why plan to do it during hurricane season? I am from Florida, so this was my first concern for her.
I am glad she said she was trying this witout a shark cage because Susie Maroney made this swim from Cuba to the USA non-stop (in a shark cage) in 1998 and is recorded in the Swimming Hall of Fame in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Good Luck to Diana and be very careful because it is a most difficult and dangerous swim. I coordinated the Susie Maroney swim and we encountered many marine life (jellyfish, whales, sharks,etc) but when we came into Key West, there were a tremendous amount of sharks including a 12 foot Hammerhead and about a 10 foot Black Tip, both very aggressive sharks and they headed straight for Susie who happened to be outside the cage for a short time but quickly returned to the cage before we felt it was safe enough to have her swim into the harbour.
@Nick: How 'bout you get all righteous and angry when something actually happens to the sharks–not just while you're IMAGINING that something will happen. You know, kinda like pretending? You're pretending, then getting mad, then posting on the internet about it. Really Nick? Really?
What an inspiration! Amazing to see so many negative comments- probably from people who never attempt personal quests.... I hope the waters are calm and the fishing poor! Good luck!
I WISH HER ALL THE BEST AND IF SHE WINS PREFECT.IF SHE CAN'T MAKE IT,AT LEAST SHE TRIED.TO ALL THOSE IGNORANTS TALKING ABOUT CASTRO AND PRISON AND FREEDOM WHY DON'T YOU SWIMM TO THE ISLAND AND LIBERATE IT???SO IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE GUTS,KEEP QUIET
DIANA,ALL MY BEST WISHES
Wow, how sad to read all the comments by mean people out there. Many of them really have no clue what they are talking about. Diana has her own web site and is also on facebook as well as twitter. When someone has a dream why aren't other humans cheering her on? She is an amazing woman attempting a huge feat and as my mom used to say, if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all! I for one am not only excited to cheer her on, I am also excited to share her endeavor with my 6th graders on the first day of school this week. We will be watching! (Perhaps I can even use the mean comments to teach a lesson on manners.)
Diana you are an inspiration and amazing. My thoughts and love are with you. I will see you on the beach in the Keys
The story has an error. She was pulled from the water in 1978. She finished the swim in in 1979. This is her third attempt, with a prior successful swim. Someone did not do the research.
The swim she made in 79 was from Bimini in the Bahamas, not Cuba. Maybe you are the one who should do the research.
That comment was uncalled for!! I want to see to see you attempt this when you get to her age. Oh, by the way, sharks go after anyone they want to go after.
i am sure about 8 million cubans are thinking on holding on to her leg to make to usa, the other 2.9 million will be swimming
along her side
Not to worry Nick, the shark experts she has with her are all about making the swim WITHOUT harming any sharks! So rest easy and the "ho" remark??? really do you have any idea who she is......
There's a storm brewing in the Caribbean. It would be wise for her to wait a few days.
So you think she doesn't have an eye on the weather?
I wonder if the coast guard will pick her up in international waters and take her back to cuba.
Man, people suck! Why is it that no matter the story, there's always nasty "people" on here being ugly. Gah! This woman is trying to do something extraordinary. She's 61 years old and is trying to break a record doing something none of these naysayers on here have the guts to do (and probably couldn't get their flabby bodies away from the internet long enough to try).
I say G-d Speed and good luck! May you reach your destination and your dream in the same stroke.
Good Luck, Diana and her X-Tream Dream Team !!!! Be safe and may the water GODS watch over you.
P.S GO DAVE!!!!! Awsome Kayaker
Hold your horses, all you "she's too old for this s**t" people. In case you hadn't heard, 60 is the new "40" (popular wisdom with the usual grain of truth), and she's a LIFELONG ATHLETE, so I'll bet she's in MUCH better shape at 61 than most of us are at (say) THIRTY-ONE or FORTY-ONE? Anyone ever heard of Jack Palance or Jack LaLanne (sp?). If she's sixty-one, Diana and I were both born in 1950. You GO, girl!
Yes, you are.
What a big SONG AND DANCE about that 61 year old Yankee Chick to swim from the USA to HAVANNA–well ,well go back 10-15 years and SUSIE MARONEY from
the GREAT SOUTHERN LAND–AUSTRALIA has done it long long time ago. So the OLD WRINKLY is not the first one
Difference is no shark cage, young pimply.
You go girl!
Be safe!!!
We all love you!
You go girl!! Be safe!!!!! We all love you!
My brother, Jim Woodruff, and Diana Nyad were in the same class together & " 6th grade king & queen" at Pine Crest Preparatory School in Ft Lauderdale...
I was on the swim team with her there as well.. Fun times with Coach Nelson! Good luck Diana !! Hopefully the waves & jelly fish kicked up from Tropical Storm Emily won't be too troublesome.
Hard to believe this article has become political theater. I'm old enough to know the politics of Cuba. It was a picture of the same exact play that is coming to the USA. The US supported Batista and wealthy US business bought up most of the land and business with Batista's blessing (and kickbacks). It was ll US greed and then the Cuban population rose up because of the huge gap between rich and poor (sound familiar?). Eventually Castro, a lawyer (ironic isn't it) organized a revolution and got assistance from the USSR. When the US politicians realized they helped cause the mess they started to support Castro – who had no intention of believing the lying creeps. That is what happened then, and it is starting here right now. For the entire saga go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulgencio_Batista
Having been there done that (biking-running), I say go gal go & I hope to be there to welcome you ashore in key west.
I can't think of a better reason to visit key west. Who cares what the nay sayers run off about. Best of luck.
Awesome!!!!
Good luck on your endeavor and may God watch over you. We just happen to be on vacation at Key West and we look forward to watching you step up to dry land triumphantly claiming victory!
Diana Nyad is more than an inspiration to women, baby boomers or athletes, her "Extreme Dream" is an example of the strength of the human spirit and the potential that lives within each of us. I'm proud just to witness from afar.
Diana our prayers are with you. For the people that have been very rude and negative, Diana is a very strong person mentally and physically –come on people be nice and send some prayers and good vibes her way–she already made it clear that no sharks will be hurt-and for those of you that say –she is too old, –do not under estimate Diana–she is amazing!!!! You go Girl !!! LOL Kate