42-yr-old Frenchman aiming to become first limbless person to swim the English Channel

PARIS - A Frenchman who lost his arms and legs in an accident 16 years ago and has learnt to swim only in the last two years, will attempt to swim 21 miles across the English Channel next week.

42-year-old Philippe Croizon, who will be fitted with prosthetic legs with flippers attached and a snorkel for the challenge, will strive to become the first limbless person to swim the Channel, the Telegraph reports.

“I want to show people who suffer that this is doable, that you always have to fight,” Croizon said.

He is anticipating swimming at an average speed of 1.8 miles per hour, taking regular one-minute breaks to eat and drink, and complete it in 24 hours.

Croizon, who has trained for 35 hours a week for the past two years and has received letters of support from President Sarkozy and other politicians, said, “This is a dream day for me. I am doing this, above all for myself, but also to set an example.” He lost his limbs in an electric shock at his house in Saint-Remy-sur-Creuse in west France. (ANI)