Yusra Mardini

Syrian refugee swimmer who saved lives during Mediterranean crossing and became Olympic advocate for displaced persons

Yusra Mardini (b. 1998) is a Syrian Olympic swimmer whose life story embodies resilience and advocacy. Fleeing war-torn Syria in 2015, she helped rescue 20 fellow refugees when their boat engine failed in the Mediterranean - swimming for 3 hours to reach Greek shores. This act of heroism led to her resettlement in Germany, where she resumed swimming training.

As part of the first Refugee Olympic Team in Rio 2016, Mardini became a global symbol of hope. She now advocates for refugee rights through her Yusra Mardini Foundation, building swimming pools in refugee camps to provide both recreation and life-saving skills. Her memoir Swim for Your Life details her journey from Damascus to Olympic podium.

Partnering with UNHCR, she's launched initiatives like Swim to Empower that teach swimming to over 10,000 refugees annually. Mardini's achievements include being named Time's Most Influential Teens (2016) and Forbes 30 Under 30 (2020). Her documentary Yusra: The Swimmer (2017) chronicles her extraordinary journey, inspiring similar programs in Jordan and Lebanon.