In December, Yusra Mardini, aged 26, took the stage at the Global Citizens Forum in Dubai to share her extraordinary journey. Her compelling narrative, detailed in the book Butterfly, was also vividly portrayed in a Netflix production.
Personal anecdotes often provide a profound understanding of the impact of global calamities like natural disasters, mass displacements, or conflicts. Yusra Mardini’s account is a poignant example of this.
Raised in Damascus, Yusra’s tranquil life with her family was disrupted by the outbreak of war in 2015, marked by a bomb strike at the pool where she was swimming. Subsequently, she fled the turmoil with her sister Sara, embarking on a perilous journey across the Aegean Sea on a faulty motorboat from Istanbul.
“I don’t cease to dream and pursue the life I desire just because I’m a refugee,” asserts Yusra Mardini.
To prevent the boat from sinking due to overloading, Yusra, Sara, and two others courageously swam for three hours, pushing the vessel to safety. Miraculously, all 20 refugees survived the ordeal.
Reflecting on the harrowing experience from her residence in Southern California, where she currently pursues her studies, Yusra recollects, “It was an incredible team effort to keep the boat afloat, with everyone praying in unison.” She emphasizes that “ninety-nine per cent of the people couldn’t swim,” underscoring the importance of addressing this issue. This led her to establish the Yusra Mardini Foundation, which, since its launch on World Refugee Day last year, aims to raise funds to help refugees learn swimming among other initiatives.
After reaching Greece, the siblings traversed the refugee trail to Berlin, finding refuge in the city. Their survival can be attributed in part to the rigorous swimming training instilled by their father and coach, fostering Yusra’s aspiration to represent Syria at the Olympics with a focus on winning the gold medal.
Yusra Mardini made headlines competing for the Refugee Olympic Team at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Her resilience, coupled with her affable and conversational demeanor, garnered media attention.
Following her participation in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics as part of the first Refugee Olympic Team in 2016, Yusra, at 18, continued her Olympic journey in Tokyo 2020. Her story resonated with many, showcasing that being a refugee does not inhibit one from aspiring and achieving their dreams.
In 2017, Yusra Mardini became the youngest Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR, a role that reshaped her perspective on life’s priorities. She transitioned from a singular focus on sports and winning gold medals to embracing humanitarian causes and advocating for millions of people in need.
While Yusra eventually retired from competitive swimming to pursue her passion for aiding others, she dabbled in the film industry, sparking her interest in film and television production. Balancing her studies with co-founding her foundation, Yusra navigates her newfound spotlight with grace.
Yusra Mardini’s impactful speech in Dubai shed light on the refugee experience, attracting donors and partnerships. Her collaboration with Oris, a Swiss watch brand involved in environmental initiatives, aligns with her values of sustainability and ocean conservation.
The Yusra Mardini Foundation strives to enhance access to sports and education for refugee communities globally, emphasizing skill development over emergency aid. This advocacy earned her a spot in the Time 100 Most Influential People list.
Venturing into the fashion realm, Yusra leverages her influence to raise funds by collaborating with brands that resonate with her principles. Through modeling and activism, she aims to empower refugees to pursue their aspirations, emphasizing that dreams are achievable regardless of one’s background or circumstances.