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Tokyo 2020 Olympian took part in two events at the 2021 FINA Worlds (25m) in Abu Dhabi, where he was the sole member of the FINA Refugee Team.

Refugee Olympic Team

Alaa

MASO-ALAA-CROP

Swimming

Refugee swimmer Alaa Maso makes more history at FINA short course World Championships

[Alaa Maso](https://olympics.com/en/athletes/alaa-maso) made history at the 2021 FINA World short course [Swimming](https://olympics.com/en/sports/swimming/) Championships (25m) this week.

As the only member of the FINA Refugee Team (FRT) at the event in the UAE, the Syria-born swimmer took part in the men's 50m freestyle on Saturday (18th December), finishing ninth in his heat in a time of 22.87 seconds and just short of his personal best.

The 21-year-old then swam in the men's 100m freestyle on Monday (20th December), finishing 8th in his heat in a time of 50.16 seconds.

**[WATCH: Full replays of the FINA world short course champs available on Olympic Channel via Olympics.com here (territorial restrictions apply).](https://olympics.com/en/sport-events/fina-swimming-world-championships-abu-dhabi-2021/)**

Maso, [who is now based in Germany](https://olympics.com/en/news/alaa-maso-refugee-swimmer-tokyo-2020), also realised his Olympic dream in 2021, placing [fourth in his 50 free heat at the Tokyo 2020](https://olympics.com/en/news/refugee-swimmer-alaa-maso-journey-tokyo) games as part of the [IOC Refugee Olympic Team](https://olympics.com/en/featured-news/how-to-support-the-ioc-refugee-olympic-team-members).

He shared his story with Olympics.com, telling us that his goal was to always inspire others. Watch more of his journey below.

Son of a swimming coach, Alaa Maso fled war-torn Syria for a new life in Germany. Now he's preparing for his Games debut, representing the IOC Refugee Olympic Team at Tokyo 2020 in 2021. He shares how sport connects him to his family, helped him meet a lot of people, and distracts him from the memories of the past. With a fierce and positive attitude, the swimmer and IOC Scholarship holder feels he's representing all refugees at the Olympics, and reminds the world that refugees have dreams and goals.

Alaa MASO

Alaa portrait new

Swimmer Alaa Maso to other refugees: You're a survivor, don't let anybody put you down

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 18: A general view of the pool during day three of the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) Abu Dhabi at Etihad Arena on December 18, 2021 in Abu Dhabi. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

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Refugee swimmer Alaa Maso makes more history at FINA short course World Championships

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