From Refugee to Hero: Yusra Mardini Returns to Syria After 10 Years—What She Found Will Leave You in Tears!

At just 17 years old, Yusra Mardini was forced to flee her homeland of Syria, escaping the horrors of war in a desperate bid for survival. Her incredible journey, which included swimming for hours to save lives after a refugee boat broke down, was later immortalized in the Netflix film The Swimmers. Now, after a decade away, the Olympic swimmer and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador has made an emotional return to Syria—not as a refugee, but as a beacon of hope aiming to rebuild her war-ravaged homeland.

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(UNHCR / Youssef Badawi)

An Emotional Homecoming

For the first time in ten years, Mardini stepped foot in Syria, a moment she described as surreal and deeply emotional. In an exclusive interview with Al Arabiya News, she recalled the overwhelming flood of emotions as she saw the “Welcome to Syria” sign. “I was in complete denial. It felt like I was dreaming… I immediately started crying,” she said. Sitting beside her mother, who was also returning after a decade, the moment symbolized both pain and resilience.

Mardini’s journey back was more than just a visit; it was a mission. As a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, she aimed to highlight the ongoing refugee crisis and explore ways to contribute to rebuilding efforts. Over 30 million Syrians have been displaced since the war began, and many remain without a permanent home or basic necessities.

From Survivor to Humanitarian

Mardini’s name became widely known after she and her sister, Sara, fled Syria in 2015. When the motor of their overcrowded dinghy failed in the middle of the Aegean Sea, the sisters jumped into the water and swam for hours, pulling the boat to safety and saving the lives of those on board. That harrowing experience only strengthened her resolve to help others.

Since then, she has competed in two Olympic Games as a member of the Refugee Olympic Team and has dedicated her life to advocating for displaced people worldwide. She also launched the Yusra Mardini Foundation, which focuses on providing refugees with access to education and sports. Inspired by her parents—her father, a swimming coach, and her mother, a teacher—she believes in the power of knowledge and athletics to change lives.

(UNHCR / Youssef Badawi)

Reuniting with Family and Her Past

During her return to Syria, Mardini had a deeply personal reunion with her maternal grandmother, whom she had not seen in ten years. She also visited the swimming pool where she once trained—one that had been struck by a missile during the war.

“It’s hard to put into words,” she said. “That pool is where my story as a swimmer began. People ask about the missile scene from the film—yes, it happened. But it happened every day. At the pool, at school, on the streets. This isn’t just my story—it’s the story of millions of Syrians.”

Finding Hope Amid Destruction

Despite the devastation that still lingers in Syria, Mardini found moments of light. One particular encounter left a lasting impact on her: a young girl named Kholoud, whose home had been destroyed. “She was wearing her Eid clothes and gave me the biggest smile,” Mardini recalled. “That’s what I’ve learned from refugees—no matter how dark it gets, there’s always light.”

These moments fuel Mardini’s determination to contribute to Syria’s reconstruction. She dreams of building schools, hospitals, and a future for the next generation. “My people need hope, and I want to be part of that hope,” she said.

A Vision for the Future

Though her life is now in Germany, where she has built a new home, Mardini remains deeply connected to Syria. When asked if she would ever move back permanently, she responded with a blend of hope and realism. “Syria is my home. Germany is my new home. You can have multiple homes,” she said. “I’d love to return and open a swimming academy one day, but right now, my role is to think of others before myself.”

As she continues her work with refugees around the world, Mardini remains committed to ensuring that the people of Syria are not forgotten. Her return to her homeland is not just a personal journey—it’s a mission to rebuild, inspire, and create a better future for those still struggling to survive.

From a teenage refugee fighting to stay afloat in the Aegean Sea to a global humanitarian dedicated to rebuilding lives, Yusra Mardini’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, hope, and the unwavering spirit of those who refuse to give up.