From Syria to Rio

Less than two years ago, Yusra Mardini was swimming for her life across the Mediterranean Sea. Today, she is a member of the 2016 Olympic Refugee Team competing in Rio. Mardini had always been a competitive swimmer in Damascus, but training was often disrupted by bombings near the swimming center.  In 2014, she fled the Syrian war with her sister when things began to deteriorate at home. The siblings were traveling from Lebanon to Greece when the boat’s motor failed during the treacherous crossing. Instinctively, Mardini and her sister dived in and pushed the boat to Greek shores after swimming in frigid water for nearly 3 hours. Eventually, after 35 days of fleeing on land, they safely arrived in Berlin and have since been joined by the rest of their family.

Soon after, an interpreter at the Refugee camp connected Mardini with a local swim club. In hopes to qualify for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, her astonishing progress unexpectedly earned her a chance to qualify for the International Olympic Committee’s refugee team for the 2016 Olympics. On Saturday, the 18-year old competed and won her heat in the 100m butterfly, placing 41^st overall. Despite not being fast enough to qualify for semifinals, Mardini will have another chance to rise in ranks when she competes in her second individual event - the first heat for women's 100m freestyle. Although a medal in Rio is out of reach, the teenager hopes to use the spotlight she has received to inspire others and bring attention to other refugees in need.