Syrian swimmer Yusra Mardini provides message of hope at Olympics
Syrian swimmer Yusra Mardini had no chance in the preliminary heat at the Tokyo Olympics. The message that the refugee team’s flag bearer sent to the world though, was more important than the result.
Yusra Mardini's inspirational story has seen her compete in the last two Olympic Games.
Five years of hard training for one moment. Then, after one minute, six seconds and 78 hundredths of a second, it was over. It is the worst time of all qualifiers in the 100-meter butterfly.
No sporting chance
From the outside looking in, it was only a short, emotionless moment for Yusra Mardini. The press grandstand well filled, but in the stands across the hall there were only a few supporters and coaches from various nations in attendance. What little atmosphere there was came courtesy of whistles and clapping sticks from the US team attendees.