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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSyrian refugee athlete who saved 20 lives pushing boat, wins swimming heat at Rio
Syrian teenager wins first Rio 2016 heat of womens 100m butterfly
18-year-old dragged dinghy carrying refugees to safety in Mediterranean
There will be plenty of inspiring swims in the Rio pool this week but few to match the personal odyssey completed by Yusra Mardini on the opening day of competition. Last year the Syrian teenager was battling in the sea for survival with fellow asylum seekers while trying to reach the Greek island of Lesbos. To go from there to winning the opening heat of the 100m butterfly at the Olympic Games is the ultimate illustration of drawing strength from adversity.
For those minded to complain about minor irritations in Rio such as humidity in the aquatics centre or a few nibbling insects, the 18-year-olds story should serve as a timely reminder of lifes more pressing issues. Last summer Mardini and her sister Sarah fled their home in Damascus for Beirut, Istanbul and finally Izmir in Turkey, where they managed to squeeze on to a dinghy crossing the Mediterranean. Thirty minutes into their journey the motor stopped and the overcrowded boat, carrying 20 people, threatened to capsize.
There was no option but for Yusra, Sarah and another woman to enter the water and push and drag the dinghy towards the shore. They were the only ones on board who could swim. I thought it would be a real shame if I drowned in the sea, because I am a swimmer, Mardini said last week. The proximity of the open ocean off Rio might have stirred some uncomfortable flashbacks.
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https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/06/yusra-mardini-100m-butterfly-heat-win-refugee-olympic-team-rio-2016
TheDonnasRule
(67 posts)Takket
(21,425 posts)cali
(114,904 posts)Volaris
(10,260 posts)Nobody with Will like that stays beat for very long, or gives up so easily.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)What a remarkable triumph!
sheshe2
(83,357 posts)Her story is indeed inspirational.
Thanks, cali.
Response to cali (Original post)
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