The Daily Mail reported that the unnamed 34-year-old told his friends on the beach that he had decided to spread the Olympic spirit across the pond by swimming to New York.

They didn't take his plans seriously, but before they knew it he had cleared the 300-yard limit on swimming marked out by the buoys on the beach in Biarritz.

Despite being out of sight of the lifeguards from the beach, he still had the best part of 3595 miles to go until the Statue of Liberty came into view.

Lifeguards grew more concerned and sent out a helicopter and diver to find him and convince him to come back.

Despite initially insisting he was a strong swimmer and knew what he was doing, he was eventually brought back to the coast.

"Our diver explained that swimming to America was not a good idea," gendarme Laurent Saintespes told the AFP news agency. "He replied that he was a good swimmer and was in good condition."

Submitted on 07/31/2012

Submitted by: Vince
Reference: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/londonspy/olympic-mania-blamed-brit-impromptu-attempt-swim-atlan

Copyright © 2012 DarwinAwards.com

Candi said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
What gets me is that, *after* it was carefully explained to him exactly how far it was to New York, he STILL insisted he could swim it! Thanks, Vince!

Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
As Candi said. What on earth was this maroon thinking??? Thanks, Vince!

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