Yusra Mardini, Syria
Swimming
Words definitely fall short in describing this heroic Olympian who literally swam for her life and that of others while trying to flee war-ravaged Syria. Born and brought up in a well-to-do suburb of Damascus, the then 17-year-old was forced to escape with her sister and reached Germany after a treacherous journey. She would go on to became the undoubted star of the Refugee Olympic team at the Rio Games, winning her butterfly heat just a year on from journeying across land and sea to Europe. “Last Olympics, I represented more than Syria,” Mardini told CNN last year. “I represented millions around the world.” One of the youngest ambassadors for UNHCR – The Refugee Agency, Mardini is working tirelessly to use sport as her voice. Tokyo 2020 is the next huge platform for her to address the world and you can be sure that everyone will be listening.
Tickets on sale for Abu Dhabi World Judo Championships to be held at Mubadala Arena
– Oscar-nominated director Stephen Daldry has been signed on to turn Yusra Mardini’s memoir ‘Butterfly’ into a feature film.
– Mardini was appointed UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in 2017.
– The Syrian swimmer’s story is also part of a short story collection titled ‘Good Night stories for Reb Girls’ by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo.
Did you know…
Yusra fled Syria in August 2015 with her sister Sara on a boat with 18 other migrants for Greece, however on the way the dinghy started to sink due to the weight. The heroic Olympian, her sister and a few others on the boat got into the freezing Aegean water and pulled the water-logged boat for more than three hours until it reached the shores of Lesbos.
“I represent more than Syria, I represent millions around the world” – Yusra Mardini (Source: CNN)
Twitter: @YusraMardini
Instagram: Mardiniysra
