The 3rd edition of the Equator Crossing took place successfully on 7 March 2026, in Porto Alegre, São Tomé and Príncipe, strengthening its international standing by officially joining the calendar of the Association of Portuguese-Speaking National Olympic Committees (ACOLOP).
The event was attended by 30 athletes from Portugal, Angola, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Spain, underlining its international character and the spirit of unity amongst Portuguese-speaking countries.
During the competition, two events took place: the main 3,800-metre crossing, starting at Ilhéu das Rolas and finishing at Praia Inhame, crossing the Equator, followed by a 400-metre mini-crossing, won by the São Toméan athlete Gastão de Sousa, a native of Porto Alegre.
In the main race, the 16-year-old Angolan Rhanya Santo won the gold medal, completing the course in 52 minutes and 12 seconds. Second place went to Carlos Porto, a 75-year-old veteran (2nd place, 1h16min00s), and third place went to Rui Cunha, a masters athlete from Académica de Coimbra (3rd place, 1h16min36s), who completed the race in 1 hour, 16 minutes and 36 seconds.
The Equator Crossing is an international open-water swimming event held in São Tomé and Príncipe, with a symbolic route that crosses the Equator near the iconic Ilhéu das Rolas. Part of the official ACOLOP calendar, the competition was created with the aim of promoting sport, Olympic values, friendship between peoples and sports tourism.
This event offers a unique opportunity to inspire and empower the next generation of swimmers, providing them with a platform to showcase their talent and compete on an international stage. It also aims to engage local schools and communities, fostering a love of sport and encouraging active participation, which contributes to young people’s physical and mental wellbeing, whilst promoting a sense of pride and achievement.
