Yusra Mardini
“I firmly believe that sports and education are powerful tools for transforming the lives of refugees. Sports provide a sense of normalcy, a way to build resilience and foster teamwork. Education, on the other hand, opens doors to opportunities and empowers individuals to shape their own destinies.”
Who Am I?
Born in Damascus, Syria, Yusra Mardini had a passion for swimming from a young age. Her father trained both her and her older sister, Sara, and she quickly climbed the ranks as a competitive swimmer. However, due to the escalating conflicts in their war-torn homeland, Yusra and Sara decided to flee in search of a safer and better life and future.
They undertook a harrowing journey across the Aegean Sea from Turkey to Greece in a small boat that was overcrowded. The boat’s motor stopped working and they began to take on water. Yusra and her sister, being strong swimmers, took action and jumped into the sea, pulling and pushing the boat along the Aegean Sea for hours until they reached the island of Lesbos in Greece. Their courageous efforts saved the lives of the other 18 migrants on board.
Despite going through this ordeal, Yusra and Sara continued their journey across Europe on foot, finally settling in Berlin, Germany.
What Am I Known For?
She never lost sight of her dreams and although she was displaced and in a new country, she continued her swimming training and her exceptional skills as a swimmer didn’t go unnoticed. She was selected to be part of a newly formed ‘Refugee Olympic Team’ and participated at the 2016 Rio Olympics, representing the strength and resilience of refugees.
She has used her achievements as an athlete to shine a light on the plight of refugees. Her incredible story of courage and perseverance has brought awareness and understanding to the struggles of people who are displaced.
At only 19, in 2017, she became the youngest-ever Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). She advocates tirelessly for refugees and has also founded her own foundation – The Yusra Mardini Foundation. Believing sport to be a transformative tool in bringing people together, the foundation focuses on ensuring that refugees all over the world have access to sporting and education opportunities.
Her and Sara’s story has been made into a Netflix movie called ‘The Swimmers’ and a documentary ‘Against the Current – Sara Mardini’s Commitment to Humanity’ was released by ARD, in 2023.
Her ongoing efforts to advocate for and improve the lives of refugees has inspired millions, and today, her important work has led to a deeper understanding of and compassion for those who seek refuge.
How About You?
Clarify the meanings of the words refugee, migration and asylum.*
Discuss different reasons (positive and negative) that people leave their homes.
If you had to leave your home in a hurry, what three things would you take with you?
Other Amazing People (you can find them on the website)
Did you know that Albert Einstein also had to flee his homeland? His story can be read in our Amazing People section.
Other Useful Resources (available on the website)
Go to Search and type in Refugee to find our Amazing Refugees resource. It includes many inspirational stories of people who have had to seek refuge and celebrates their many achievements. Subscribers can find this helpful resource by logging in and going to the Search page. If you are not a subscriber, you can access this resource, and many more, by starting a free trial.
Image courtesy of: https://www.instagram.com/yusramardini/