Yusra Mardini went up on a plane in Germany for the holidays overwhelmed by emotion. The news had just filtered Syria with the overthrow of the longtime dictator of the Bashar al-Assad country.
Joy and relief were welcomed by hesitation, a reluctance to really celebrate. The former Olympic swimmer of the Olympic refugee team (ROT) would sit with her thoughts for the next 10 hours, unable to access the Internet to really understand the extent of such a historic moment.
Now living in Los Angeles, Mardini has been survived for almost 10 years has survived a treacherous crossing of the Aegean Sea in a rubber canoe alongside her sister Sara, successfully escaping her country torn apart by war. Mardini’s birth history allowed him to survive.
The engine of the boat began to fail at only 30 minutes after the departure of Turkey and with 20 people piled up in a space designed for only six, Mardini and his sister chose to sacrifice their own safety. By jumping in the free date, they swam for three hours to reduce the prospect of the caps of the boat before finally reaching Lesbos, in Greece.
Bombs landing around her house in Darayya on the outskirts of Damascus, her miraculous resolution journey ended with her which finally reached Germany in the hope of a better life. This quickly materialized in the form of two appearances at the Olympic Games, in Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo. Her story would later be told in the film Netflix Swimmers.
“The last thing I saw before flying is that half of Syria was released,” said Mardini The independentAfter having quickly forgotten his exams at the USC before attending the world swimming championships this month in Budapest.
“It was the longest flight of my life, there was no internet on the plane, I didn’t know anything, but when I landed, I saw it, Syria is free from the diet ASSAD. I was in total shock. It is deeply rooted, the fear of this diet. I thought: “What if he comes back?” And “Is it real?”
“I didn’t want to risk my family’s life in Syria. It was intense. But I made, slowly, it’s real and that happens and I was very happy. »»
The immediate future is uncertain, the priorities dispersed. The leader of the group of insurgents Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, who led the movement to force Assad to power, promised to court those who imprisoned, tortured and killed dissident votes under the regime.
Mardini is also in conflict on the next steps. She has major projects for her Yusra Mardini foundation, but she is clever enough to realize that there is a need for patience.
His passion for swimming and the capacity of the sport to inspire can wait. She hesitates on several occasions during our conversation during the discussion of her country’s potential, returning to the urgent need to contribute to undernourished Syrians and to provide fundamental human rights, or simply the right to a dream.
“The fear of this regime and everything they have done to the people is deeply rooted, we have never lost hope in what we deserve: human rights, the right to dream, just for being human , like anyone, ”she says. “It was incredible to see the Syrians come together, we know that we are not able to build an incredible country, but we want to try to heal, build houses from zero. Be able to be there for each other.
“I think that the Syrians are frustrated, everyone tries to discover what is going on, the next steps, but we are so traumatized, we have so many problems, people online for bread, there are still people In mourning, people who are not part of houses.
“I don’t think we are ready for another regime, it will take a while to trust a government. Actions speak more than words. But for the moment, we have to focus on the humanitarian side of it, to help the Syrians and give them shelter to feel safe again.
“”[What we ultimately want is] Very simple: a country and a government that respect human rights and understand that people want freedom, peace and dignity. »»
The 26 -year -old is now withdrawn from the swimming pool, after participating in the 100m freestyle and 100m butterfly. Inspired by her friend, the legendary American swimmer Katie Ledecky, Mardini attended the games in Paris this summer, covering the sport as an expert for Eurosport to the defense Arena, where two of the Rot 37 record athletes, Alaa Maso and morning Bulssini, competed, competed, competed, compensated, contributed, contributed, Alaa Maso and morning Burgini, competed. .
“It took me a few years for not having won a gold medal, because it was my dream,” adds Mardini, now in peace with his way being to make a difference. However, the upgraded situation of the house raises the question: would it come out of retirement to represent Syria?
“The representation of Syria now represents its people,” explains Mardini. “I don’t think I would care who is the government, I would like to represent my people anyway. But I am retired. Will I get out of retirement? I doubt it, but if I ever do it, I would like to represent my country and swim for Syria. »»
Her future, she hopes, will understand both a return to Syria when the opportunity arises, and her studies at the school of cinematographic arts, where she specializes in cinematographic and televised production, with an eye on obtaining the diploma in 2026.
And although there are more urgent things to do in Syria when celebrations calm down, Mardini maintains sport can play a crucial role in what promises to be “a new era” for the country.
“I don’t know when I come back,” admits Mardini. “It will depend on the fact that Syria is in peace and quieter. I want to try to support with education and sport lessons, with the foundation, with the self -esteem of children or adults, and help them psychologically. Either professionally or for fun, both can help. I want to go back as soon as possible.
“There is a lot of work to do, I sometimes wonder how I can give sports lessons if they don’t even have a house?” But I speak to humanitarian workers, they say that they like all types of normality. If they have sport and education, it helps to build their future and take the next steps.
“For me, it was always swimming, no matter where I was in the world. Even if I was in a tent, I still thought about it, my next goal and I went to the Olympic Games. Sport and education can change lives and that has changed mine, so why not help and give these opportunities to other refugees and Syrians when I turn there? »»
