Syrian Olympic Star Yusra Mardini Makes Her Grand Return At The Tokyo 2020 Olympics
As she competes on the Refugee Olympic Team, the 23-years-old athlete continues to inspire young women everywhere
Yusra Mardini has managed to go beyond gold with a story that proves the tenacity of the human spirit like no other…
Before her life took an unexpected turn, Mardini grew up in Syria, a beautiful country facing tragic hardships. It wasn’t until she was 17 that she and her sister decided to leave behind their country for a better future. The duo made their way to Germany in hopes of starting a new life.
On the last leg of their journey, Mardini recalls the moments after boarding a small dinghy when the motor stopped working. For over three hours, the sister’s swam alongside the boat, working to maneuver it back on course. An impossible feat that saved the lives of everyone onboard.
Today, Mardini is a hero. At 19, she was appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Refugee Agency but her accomplishments don’t end there. The Olympian continues to advocate for refugees and a year after her arrival to Germany, she was invited to compete at the 2016 Olympics in Rio for the women’s 100m swim.
Mardini reminds us that when she competes, she isn’t only fighting for her country, she’s fighting for those displaced around the world, battling to keep their passions alive just as she did. Her aquatic talents saved her life in more ways than one.
An inspiration for all and a dedicated humanitarian, we hope that Yusra Mardini continues to shine at the Tokyo Olympic Games, having already won the bronze medal, placing third in the Women’s 100M butterfly last weekend.
For more inspiring stories regarding Olympic athletes, visit The Olympics official site
Lead image courtesy of Instagram /@yusramardini