"Find your lane. Swim your race." This mantra guided Yusra Mardini, both literally and figuratively, from her war-torn home in Syria to the grand 2016 Rio Olympics.
As the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics approaches, it is crucial to revisit the Mardini sisters' important story and remember the significance of the Refugee Olympic team.
The Swimmers (2022), directed by Sally El Hosaini, is based on the true story of two competitive swimmers, 17-year-old Yusra Mardini and her 20-year-old sister Sara, who fled their home due to the escalation of the Syrian war. The sisters, along with their cousin Nizar, planned to migrate to Germany via a flight to Turkey, a boat ride to Greece, and then a bus ride to their final destination.
The sisters hoped that the family reunification program in Germany, where a minor who migrated could transfer status to immediate family, would guarantee safe migration for the rest of their family.
The core of the film's emotional resonance is its raw portrayal of the arduous sea crossing from Turkey to Greece—a pivotal moment that encapsulates the movie’s tension and despair. With 20 people crammed into a small inflatable boat, the sisters and Nizar set off to sea equipped with just a weak engine and life jackets. As the boat inevitably started leaking, the Mardini sisters, as some of the only swimmers, had to jump into the sea, swimming for hours to alleviate the boat's weight so they could reach Greece.
This act saved the lives of all the passengers. The film uses shots from both underwater and bird’s eye views to illustrate the boat's claustrophobic setting and the desperation of being stranded at sea. The power of the cinematography lies in bringing out the audience's uncomfortable emotions – viewers are immersed in the boat, experiencing the danger in the waters.
One of the most striking scenes is when Yusra decides to throw her old swimming medals into the sea to bail out the weight. This reminds the audience that behind the refugees embarking on this dangerous journey were just ordinary teenagers who wanted to live normal lives and achieve their goals – in Yusra’s case, to swim. As the trio arrives at the Greek island, they discard their life jackets on the floor.
The camera pans out, revealing a mountain of discarded life jackets, symbolizing that Yusra and her family are only one of the millions of people who have to make this dangerous trip. This scene displays the resilience and never-ending hope that the sisters, and in a broader context, all refugees have.
Another meaningful and well-executed aspect of the movie is the pacing. The structure of the girls’ journey suggests that each elaborate and dangerous challenge would conclude with a celebration. Yet, repeatedly, there would always be another step to take or obstacle to overcome: even after arriving in Greece, there were multiple stops in different countries and more bus rides to take.
When the trio finally arrives in Germany, they cannot be transferred to Berlin, and the paperwork for Yusra to apply for the family reunification program cannot go forward due to inadequate processing time. This mirrors the endless and often disheartening nature of the refugee crisis.
Toward the film's end, Yusra joins a swimming club and eventually earns a spot on the first-ever Refugee Olympic Team for the Rio 2016 Olympics. Her journey of going from swimming for her life as an asylum seeker to not only swimming for the Olympics but becoming a voice for all refugees shows the power of passion and determination.
Yet, the film also shares other honest stories of people she meets along the way who had to turn back or whose journeys did not end successfully, acknowledging that her successful journey is also intertwined with luck and circumstance. Many who embark on a similar path do not survive, and the refugee crisis remains one that both authority figures and the general public should prioritize.
In 2024, Yusra Mardini retired as a competitive swimmer and is attending the USC School for Cinematic Arts. Both sisters continue to be advocates for refugees around the world: Sara has helped refugees on the island of Lesbos with the Emergency Response Centre International, and the Yusra Mardini Foundation supports refugee athletes, providing them with additional resources to rebuild their lives.
For the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics, Yusra Mardini will be covering the Refugee Olympic Team for Warner Bros. Discovery as a Eurosport Reporter, continuing to shine a light on the refugee crisis and celebrate refugee athletes. As we anticipate the thrilling sports competitions, it’s crucial to highlight the resilience and stories behind the athletes of the Refugee Olympic Team, whose journeys reflect the broader struggles faced by millions.
The Swimmers is a deeply necessary movie - for its inspiring themes of hope and resilience, but also as an opportunity to learn more about the refugee crisis.
