Yusra Mardini announces retirement from swimming

Two-time Olympian Yusra Mardini announced Monday (26 June) her retirement from competitive swimming in an Instagram post.

Originally from Syria, Mardini, 25, represented the Refugee Olympic Team at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Games. She also served as the flag bearer for the Refugee Olympic Team in the Japanese capital. 

"Swimming has been my home away from home for the past 8 years, but the time has come to step away and move on to the next chapter," wrote Mardini. "Swimming has given me so much, it has given me stability in my toughest times, it has given me strength through the life lessons that I have learnt, it taught me determination and discipline, and most importantly it has given me friendships that I will cherish for life."

She took part in the 100m butterfly at both Games, while also swimming the 100m free in Rio.

In fleeing Syria in 2015, Mardini, her sister Sarah and two others swam for hours to save their boat as they travelled from Turkey to Greece. Mardini's heroics captivated the world and are depicted in the Netflix movie 'The Swimmers.'

"My sister and I decided to leave Syria in order to find safety in Germany in 2015. It may sound crazy but my first priority upon arriving in Germany was to find a swimming pool so I could resume my training," she said in the Instagram post. "A few months later, the introduction of the Refugee Olympic Athletes Team allowed me to compete as a member of the first-ever Olympic Refugee Team, fulfilling my dream and forever changing my life."

In addition to her athletic feats, Mardini has worked to help change the lives of others including as a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador.

"When I was nine years old, I had a dream of competing in the Olympics so I practiced nonstop and was determined that one day I would succeed," wrote Maridini. "My desire was distant from reality in 2011 as my country was at war, but I never stopped dreaming because I was and still am so passionate about swimming."