NANTOU, TAIWAN - SEPTEMBER 20: Swimmers wearing bright caps fill the staging area at Chaowu Pier ahead of entering the water for the 44th Sun Moon Lake Swimming Carnival, one of Taiwan's largest open-water sports events on September 20, 2026 in Nantou, Taiwan. Over 21,700 swimmers from 38 countries and regions, equipped with brightly colored safety buoys, traverse the open waters of Sun Moon Lake from Chaowu Pier to Ita Thao Pier during the 44th Sun Moon Lake Swimming Carnival, one of Taiwan's largest outdoor water sports events featuring upgraded real-time dual-chip tracking systems for safety. (Photo by Cheng Chia Huang/Getty Images)

NANTOU, TAIWAN - SEPTEMBER 20: A wide panoramic view shows a sea of over 21,700 swimmers in bright pink caps filling the open waters from Chaowu Pier toward Ita Thao Pier under event marker balloons during the 44th Sun Moon Lake Swimming Carnival on September 20, 2026 in Nantou, Taiwan. Over 21,700 swimmers from 38 countries and regions, equipped with brightly colored safety buoys, traverse the open waters of Sun Moon Lake from Chaowu Pier to Ita Thao Pier during the 44th Sun Moon Lake Swimming Carnival, one of Taiwan's largest outdoor water sports events featuring upgraded real-time dual-chip tracking systems for safety. (Photo by Cheng Chia Huang/Getty Images)

NANTOU, TAIWAN - SEPTEMBER 20: A dense sea of over 21,700 participants wearing bright pink swim caps fills a road leading to the water on September 20, 2026 in Nantou, Taiwan. Over 21,700 swimmers from 38 countries and regions, equipped with brightly colored safety buoys, traverse the open waters of Sun Moon Lake from Chaowu Pier to Ita Thao Pier during the 44th Sun Moon Lake Swimming Carnival, one of Taiwan's largest outdoor water sports events featuring upgraded real-time dual-chip tracking systems for safety. (Photo by Cheng Chia Huang/Getty Images)

NANTOU, TAIWAN - SEPTEMBER 20: A high-angle view captures thousands of participants in colorful swim caps plunging into the water from Chaowu Pier during on September 20, 2026 in Nantou, Taiwan. Over 21,700 swimmers from 38 countries and regions, equipped with brightly colored safety buoys, traverse the open waters of Sun Moon Lake from Chaowu Pier to Ita Thao Pier during the 44th Sun Moon Lake Swimming Carnival, one of Taiwan's largest outdoor water sports events featuring upgraded real-time dual-chip tracking systems for safety. (Photo by Cheng Chia Huang/Getty Images)

NANTOU, TAIWAN - SEPTEMBER 20: Swimmers equipped with red safety buoys stand in orderly lines behind traffic cones and barrier bars as they wait to enter the launching area on September 20, 2026 in Nantou, Taiwan. Over 21,700 swimmers from 38 countries and regions, equipped with brightly colored safety buoys, traverse the open waters of Sun Moon Lake from Chaowu Pier to Ita Thao Pier during the 44th Sun Moon Lake Swimming Carnival, one of Taiwan's largest outdoor water sports events featuring upgraded real-time dual-chip tracking systems for safety. (Photo by Cheng Chia Huang/Getty Images)

NANTOU, TAIWAN - SEPTEMBER 20: Hundreds of swimmers in pink and purple caps fill the water in front of spectators gathered on the multi-tiered Chaowu Pier platform during the launch on September 20, 2026 in Nantou, Taiwan. Over 21,700 swimmers from 38 countries and regions, equipped with brightly colored safety buoys, traverse the open waters of Sun Moon Lake from Chaowu Pier to Ita Thao Pier during the 44th Sun Moon Lake Swimming Carnival, one of Taiwan's largest outdoor water sports events featuring upgraded real-time dual-chip tracking systems for safety. (Photo by Cheng Chia Huang/Getty Images)

NANTOU, TAIWAN - SEPTEMBER 20: A swimmer wearing a protective face kani mask and eyeglasses smiles joyfully while floating with safety buoys during on September 20, 2026 in Nantou, Taiwan. Over 21,700 swimmers from 38 countries and regions, equipped with brightly colored safety buoys, traverse the open waters of Sun Moon Lake from Chaowu Pier to Ita Thao Pier during the 44th Sun Moon Lake Swimming Carnival, one of Taiwan's largest outdoor water sports events featuring upgraded real-time dual-chip tracking systems for safety. (Photo by Cheng Chia Huang/Getty Images)

NANTOU, TAIWAN - SEPTEMBER 20: An overhead view captures student swimmers from Kang Chiao International School, wearing matching purple caps and yellow-sleeved rash guards, keeping together in open water on September 20, 2026 in Nantou, Taiwan. Over 21,700 swimmers from 38 countries and regions, equipped with brightly colored safety buoys, traverse the open waters of Sun Moon Lake from Chaowu Pier to Ita Thao Pier during the 44th Sun Moon Lake Swimming Carnival, one of Taiwan's largest outdoor water sports events featuring upgraded real-time dual-chip tracking systems for safety. (Photo by Cheng Chia Huang/Getty Images)