In second consecutive IOC Refugee Olympic Team appearance, Yusra Mardini swims 100m butterfly
Having become a familiar face during Rio 2016 - and since - refugee swimmer Mardini competed again at Tokyo 2020. She fell short of the semi-finals.
Yusra Mardini was back in Olympic water on Saturday (24 July).
Five years after Mardini was a part of the inaugural IOC Refugee Olympic Team, the Syrian native and German resident competed in the 100m butterfly at Tokyo 2020.
It was another chapter in her inspiring story.
Mardini finished in third place in her heat, clocking a time of 1:06.78. Only the top 16 swimmers of 33 qualified for the semi-finals.
Mardini was unable to do so.
The 23 year old was one of the flagbearers for the Refugee Team at Friday's Opening Ceremony, one of the many accolades she's received outside of the pool.
Mardini has been appointed a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, a role she uses to bring light to the refugee experience while promoting the positive impact that sport can have on one's life.
“I tell my story because I want people to understand that sport saved my life,” she said.
Having needing to swim to help the boat she was on from sinking when she left Syria, Mardini arrived in Germany and has trained there since - often alongside the German national team.
Mardini says she is still in touch with teammates from Rio 2016: “The memories I made with everyone is so great."
Much the same can be expected of the Refugee Team from Tokyo 2020.