Recorded Live at Spotify Beach in Cannes
Olympic swimmer and Syrian refugee Yusra Mardini fled the Syrian Civil War with her sister Sara, making the perilous journey to Europe at only seventeen, including a treacherous crossing of the Aegean Sea in 2015.
After finding refuge in Germany, Yusra was selected to compete as part of the inaugural Refugee Olympic Team at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and again in Tokyo four years later. On World Refugee Day 2023, Yusra announced the launch of her nonprofit, The Yusra Mardini Foundation, which aims to improve access to sports and education for refugee communities. Yusra has become a powerful advocate for forcibly displaced people worldwide.
Episode 61 explores the challenges of living in a war-torn country, the importance of not judging refugees, and how to use your voice to make a positive impact.
We discuss:
- Being born in Syria
- Beginning to swim at age 3
- Dreaming of becoming the next Michael Phelps at age 9
- Facing the onset of war at age 13
- Enduring the traumas of the Syrian conflict
- Undertaking a 25-day journey from Syria to Germany
- Crossing the Aegean Sea on a dinghy
- Keeping the Olympic dream alive
- Helping establish the Refugee Olympic Team
- Aims to change the perception of refugees
Chapters:
(00:00:00) Fleeing Syria at 13 years old
(00:02:18) From Syria to Olympic Swimming
(00:04:48) Starting Swimming at a Young Age
(00:07:27) The Daily Routine in Damascus
(00:09:55) Witnessing the Start of War in Syria
(00:12:23) Mourning the Loss in Syria
(00:14:51) The Youth Olympic Games and Political Reasons for Quitting Swimming
(00:17:10) Pursuing a Different Path in Life
(00:19:22) Life in a War Zone
(00:21:30) Packing for the Journey
(00:26:24) The Expensive Boat Journey
(00:28:44) Guardian Angels on the Boat
(00:31:10) Heartbreaking Journey across the Ocean
(00:33:25) A Life-Threatening Situation at Sea
(00:35:40) The Rescue at Sea
(00:37:58) Journey to Germany
(00:40:26) Impressive Syrian Swimmers
(00:42:39) Representing a Refugee Olympic Team
(00:45:14) The Impact of the Olympic Stadium
(00:47:37) Competing at the Olympics
(00:49:54) The Struggles and Dreams of Refugees
(00:52:19) Refugees and Stereotypes in the UK
(00:54:49) The Importance of Welcoming Immigrants in Society
(00:57:10) Supporting the Refugee Olympic Team
(00:59:32) A Heartwarming Moment
(01:01:59) A Heartfelt Story of Gratitude
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Credits:
Director: Charles Parkinson
Poet & VO Artist: Ashley Samuels-McKenzie
Editor: Catherine Singh
