Yusra Mardini, a Syrian swimmer and other members of the Refugee Olympic Team (ROT) held their first press conference together in Rio de Janeiro, prior to their debut at the Olympic Games.
Mardini said she would like everyone in Syria to think of their dreams because a lot of people have forgotten their dreams.
I hope that everyone will follow their dreams to achieve something good in the future.Yusra Mardini, Swimmer, Refugee Olympics Team
Thirty minutes after Mardini and her sister left Turkey on a motorboat, the engine began to fail. The boat was meant for 6 people but was carrying 20. They swam for over 3 hours to save the lives of 20 people.
Most of those on board did not know swimming. With no other alternative, Mardini, Sarah and two strong swimmers jumped into the sea and swam for 3 hours in the open waters to stop their boat from capsizing, eventually reaching Lesbos.
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