🏊♀️
Yusra Mardini
From Refugee Boat to Olympic Pool
She swam for 3 hours in the open sea to save 20 lives. Then she competed in the Olympics. Twice.
Timeline
Fled Syria
Yusra and her sister Sara left war-torn Damascus. Their home had been destroyed by a bomb that landed in their swimming pool — the same pool where Yusra had trained since childhood.
The Swim That Changed Everything
Their overcrowded dinghy’s engine died in the Aegean Sea. Yusra, Sara, and two others jumped into the water and pushed the boat for over 3 hours. Twenty people on board. One rope. Open sea. She was 17 years old.
Arrived in Germany
After a grueling journey through Lebanon, Turkey, Greece, and the Balkans, Yusra arrived in Berlin. Within weeks she found a pool and started training again.
Rio Olympics — Refugee Olympic Team
The IOC created the first-ever Refugee Olympic Team. Yusra was chosen as one of 10 athletes. She competed in the 100m butterfly, winning her heat. The crowd gave her a standing ovation.
UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador
At 19, Yusra became the youngest-ever UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, using her platform to advocate for the 100+ million displaced people worldwide.
Memoir: "Butterfly"
Published her autobiography detailing the journey from Damascus to the Olympic podium. The title is a nod to her signature stroke — and to transformation.
Tokyo Olympics
Returned for her second Olympic Games with the Refugee Olympic Team, competing in the 100m butterfly. Carried the Olympic flag at the opening ceremony.
"The Swimmers" — Netflix Film
Netflix released a feature film telling the story of Yusra and Sara. Directed by Sally El Hosaini. Premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.
By The Numbers
3
hours
Swimming in open sea
20
lives
Saved from a sinking boat
2
Olympics
Rio 2016 & Tokyo 2020
17
years old
When she jumped into the sea
6.5M
refugees
Syrian displacement crisis
Glen's Take
Most athletes train their whole lives for one moment of glory. Yusra Mardini's greatest athletic achievement happened in the Mediterranean Sea when nobody was watching and nobody was keeping score.
She didn't swim for a medal. She swam because 20 people were going to die if she didn't. She was 17. The water was dark. The boat was sinking. And she jumped in anyway.
Every Olympic swimmer trains to beat the clock. Yusra Mardini trained to beat death. And then she went to the Olympics anyway, just to prove the point.
Superpowers
Resilience
Lost her home, her country, and nearly her life — then rebuilt everything from scratch in a foreign country and made it to the Olympics. Twice.
Swimming Endurance
Trained competitive swimmer since childhood. Used that training not for a medal, but to push a sinking boat through open water for 3 hours straight.
Advocacy
Youngest-ever UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador. Speaks at the UN, meets world leaders, and refuses to let the world forget about displaced people.
Courage Under Pressure
When the engine died and 20 people were about to drown, she didn’t freeze. She jumped in. That’s not bravery in theory. That’s bravery at 2 AM in the dark ocean.
Read & Watch
📖
“Butterfly” — Memoir
Yusra's autobiography. From the swimming pools of Damascus to the open sea to the Olympic Games. Named after her signature stroke and the transformation it represents.
Find on Amazon →
🎬
“The Swimmers” — Netflix (2022)
The feature film telling the Mardini sisters' story. Directed by Sally El Hosaini. Premiered at TIFF. One of the most powerful sports films in years.
Find on Amazon →
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Yusra Mardini save 20 people in the Mediterranean?
In 2015, Yusra was on an overcrowded refugee dinghy crossing the Aegean Sea when the engine failed. She, her sister Sara, and two other swimmers jumped into the water and pushed the boat for over 3 hours until they reached the Greek island of Lesbos. All 20 passengers survived.
How many Olympics did Yusra Mardini compete in?
Yusra competed in two Olympic Games as part of the Refugee Olympic Team: the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021). She swam the 100m butterfly in both Games and carried the Olympic flag at the Tokyo opening ceremony.
Is The Swimmers on Netflix based on a true story?
Yes. The Swimmers (2022) is a Netflix feature film based on the true story of Yusra and Sara Mardini’s journey from war-torn Syria through the Mediterranean Sea to the Olympic Games. It was directed by Sally El Hosaini and premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.
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