Internet Desk: The teenage refugee who is set to become the darling of the Olympics has revealed she does not think she will land a medal.
But she has pinned her hopes on meeting US swimming sensation Michael Phelps.
Syrian swimmer Yusra Mardini, 18, has arrived in Rio early and become the most sought after competitor.
Eighteen months ago she had to swim for her life in the freezing Aegean Sea after her boat ran into difficulties, while trying to reach the Greek island of Lesbos.
She and her family had left their home in bomb-ridden Damascus and headed for refugee camps in Lebanon and Turkey before deciding to seek a new life in Greece.
But the sea crossing nearly ended in disaster when their dinghy’s engine failed and she and her sister Sarah, both strong swimmers, helped push the boat and the other refugees safely to shore.
Her bravery won the hearts of Olympic officials and they awarded her a scholarship to train for the 2016 games and represent the International Olympic Committee Refugee Team which is made of athletes from other war torn countries.
Yusra and her family, who are Muslim, are now settled in Berlin, but she hopes to one day return to Syria and to compete for her country.
Speaking in Rio, she said: ‘It is a dream for any athlete to be part of the Olympics. For me, it is an honor.
‘I hope refugees all over the world will continue to try and achieve their dreams.’
She said she and fellow Syrian refugee Rami Anis were enjoying roaming around the Athletes’ village looking for their sporting heroes.
She said she was on the lookout for a selfie with fellow swimmer America’s Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time with 22 medals to his name.
Olympics officials, who have set up three ‘meet-the-press’ sessions for the Refugee Team before the competition begins, are likely to be keen to ask the American if he will oblige for the cameras.
Yusra, who is one of three siblings and who has been warmly welcomed in Germany, said she one day hopes to be able to return to her homeland when peace has been restored.
But she feels these Olympics have come too soon for her to be in with a chance of a medal and is looking to be on the winners’ rostrum in Tokyo 2020.
She said: ‘For the refugees in Brazil,and all the refugees around the world, we are going to represent you guys in a really good picture and I hope you are going to learn from our story that you have to move on because life will never stop with your problems.
She praised the IOC and its president Thomas Bach for putting the Refugee team together.