fbpx
Connect with us

Social Stories

Meet Yusra Mardini: Syrian Refugee Who Swam for Her Life Now Swims at the Olympics

Published

Yusra Mardini Once Swam For Her Life As A Refugee Now Swims At The Olympics - World Of Buzz 9

Follow us on Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest stories and updates daily.

Yusra Mardini was born in Syria but she had to flee from her war-torn home country to search for a better life.

Before, being in the Olympic Games seemed fiction as the teenager had to face the struggles of her 25 days exodus from Damascus, Syria to Germany.

Yusra Mardini Once Swam For Her Life As A Refugee Now Swims At The Olympics - World Of Buzz 1

Yusra Mardini Once Swam For Her Life As A Refugee Now Swims At The Olympics - World Of Buzz

In the midst of her journey, Mardini and her elder sister were able to secure a spot on a small dinghy to cross the Mediterranean to Greece in exchange for a huge sum of money. It wasn’t the best but it was their only choice for them to proceed to what they hope is a better life.

Yusra Mardini Once Swam For Her Life As A Refugee Now Swims At The Olympics - World Of Buzz 6

Yusra Mardini Once Swam For Her Life As A Refugee Now Swims At The Olympics - World Of Buzz 2

The small boat that was meant to accommodate 6 passengers left Turkey with 20 occupants. Thirty minutes into the ride, the motor of their boat started to give way and their dinghy was on the verge of capsizing, according to Independent UK.

Fortunate enough, the 18-year old Mardini is the middle child of three daughters to a swim coach.

Without any other option, Mardini and her sister jumped into the waters and started swimming for their lives. They managed to pull their boat to Lesbos and eventually made their way to Germany — their final destination.

“I had one hand with the rope attached to the boat as I moved my two legs and one arm. It was three and half hours in cold water. Your body is almost like … done. I don’t know if I can describe that.”

“It was really hard, for everyone, and I don’t blame anyone if they cried. But sometimes you just have to move on.”

Mardini hated the open waters ever since then, but even so, she knew that at that moment that it was swimming that kept her alive. Respect!

“I remember that without swimming I would never be alive maybe because of the story of this boat. It’s a positive memory for me.”

Although given a chance to start life anew, things weren’t easy for Mardini and her sister. They spotted a German restaurant but the restaurant wouldn’t take them fearing that they would rob them.

However, things turned around for Mardini when she was referred to join a swimming club known as Wasserfreunde Spandau 04.

Yusra Mardini Once Swam For Her Life As A Refugee Now Swims At The Olympics - World Of Buzz 5 Yusra Mardini Once Swam For Her Life As A Refugee Now Swims At The Olympics - World Of Buzz 4

Soon, coach Sven Spannerkrebs decided to take Mardini under his wing with plans to train her for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. But as God works in mysterious ways, Mardini had been one in ten selected by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to join the Refugee Olympic Athletes Team (ROT) in the Rio Games this year.

Thus far, Mardini had won a 100m butterfly heat against four other women. Despite the win, she didn’t qualify for semi-finals. But that’s ok, Mardini has already won the hearts of the people.

Being a refugee herself, Mardini sets out to give an insight of living as one.

“A lot of people think refugees have no home, that they had nothing at all. Sometimes when I have my iPhone they are like, ‘you know iPhone, oh my God’ – but I’m like, ‘of course’. They think we live in some desert. No, we have everything like you,” she said.

“I want everyone to think refugees are normal people who had their homelands and lost them not because they wanted to run away and be refugees, but because they have dreams in their lives and they had to go.”

Her story has resonated to people worldwide and she has become an inspiration to many. Mardini is living proof that you yourself determines where you end up, no matter how tough a family or situation you’re born into. To think, most of us who are fortunate enough suffer from ‘First World Problems’ all day. Guess we should really start to count our blessings.

Follow us on Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest stories and updates daily.



Just In

Collage 21 Collage 21
News8 hours ago

“Allah planned it this way” – Kelantan Deputy MB Responds to Arrest of Kelantanese Singer in Thailand

Just recently, a Kelantanese singer with 5 other individuals was arrested by Thai Police. 6,000 meth pills were also found...

My Post 1 2024 11 04T150004.665 My Post 1 2024 11 04T150004.665
News11 hours ago

Anthony Loke: Govt Will Cease The Sales & Registration of NGV Nationwide Starting July 2025

Starting from July 1, 2025, all vehicles using natural gas (NGV) will no longer be allowed to be registered or...

Collage 14 1 Collage 14 1
News11 hours ago

Zahid Hamidi: Johor to Introduce RM4K Starting Salary for Skilled Workers with Diploma, RM5K for Degree

The launch of the Johor Talent Development Council (JTDC) has made Johor the first state in Malaysia to establish a...

Feat Image Jail Ic Feat Image Jail Ic
News12 hours ago

This Controversial Law Can Land M’sians Up to 5-Year Jail, RM50K Fine Just for Not Having MyKad with Them

There have been many viral stories in the past about Malaysians finding themselves in trouble with the authorities for not...

My Post 1 2024 11 04T122638.683 My Post 1 2024 11 04T122638.683
News13 hours ago

M’sian Teenager Sentenced to Life in Prison in the UK for Attacking Sleeping Schoolmates with Hammer

A Malaysian teenager has been sentenced to life in prison in the United Kingdom (UK) after he attacked 2 of...

Collage 13 1 Collage 13 1
News14 hours ago

After 5 Months, Bodyguard Who Allegedly Assaulted OKU E-Hailing Driver Will be Charged in KL High Court

In an incident that occurred in May, a Malaysian e-hailing driver with a disability was reportedly punched by an escort...

Collage 12 1 Collage 12 1
News15 hours ago

Moo Deng, The Cute Baby Hippo Taking World by Storm, Wins Video of the Year at TikTok Awards Thailand!

Moo Deng has blown up on TikTok, where her cute videos have racked up millions of views. With her chubby...

Feat Image Tgif Feat Image Tgif
News1 day ago

Popular Restaurant Chain TGI Fridays Files for Bankruptcy Due to Prolonged Financial Challenges

Popular restaurant chain TGI Fridays has filed for bankruptcy in the United States after suffering prolonged financial challenges and a...

Announcement

Latest Videos



TRENDING TODAY