Yusra Mardini is a former Olympic swimmer, humanitarian, and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador whose story has become a global symbol of resilience and hope. In 2015, she fled the war in Syria at 17 and helped save fellow refugees by swimming their sinking boat to safety. After resettling in Germany, she competed at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics as part of the Refugee Olympic Team and carried the team’s flag at the Tokyo Opening Ceremony. She became the youngest UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in 2017 and has used her platform to advocate for displaced people worldwide.
Beyond sport, Yusra is a leading voice for refugee rights, education, and inclusion. In 2023, she founded the Yusra Mardini Foundation to expand access to education and sport for refugee youth, transforming her personal journey into a mission of empowerment. Her life story reached a global audience through the acclaimed Netflix film The Swimmers, which highlighted her family’s escape and her path to the Olympic stage.
At BRIDGE Summit, Yusra Mardini will share insights on resilience, the power of storytelling in humanitarian advocacy, and how sport can open pathways to dignity and opportunity for displaced youth around the world.
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