The Gstaad Guy sits down with Yusra Mardini, Olympic swimmer, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, and the real-life inspiration behind The Swimmers, to explore one of the most extraordinary journeys of courage, resilience, and reinvention. From her childhood in Damascus and the moment war changed everything, to the harrowing escape across the Aegean Sea and rebuilding her life in Germany, Yusra reflects on the experiences that shaped her both as an athlete and as a storyteller.
The conversation dives into the power of swimming as an anchor through chaos, her unlikely path to the Olympic Games, and the global impact of having her story portrayed on screen. Yusra opens up about public speaking, refugee advocacy, and how sharing her truth became a way to give hope to millions. She also discusses her creative future in filmmaking, the weight of expectations, and the importance of mental health after trauma. A moving look at courage, identity, and what it means to keep dreaming, even when the world tells you to stop.
Filmed in the One&Only One Zaโabeel Royal Suite.
Chapters:
(00:00) Intro โจ
(01:15) Life on the Road ๐โ๏ธ
(01:54) USC Film Path ๐๐ฅ
(02:50) Power of Storytelling โ๏ธโค๏ธ
(03:32) Love for Swimming ๐โโ๏ธ๐
(05:22) The Swimmers Film ๐ฌ๐ญ
(06:52) Born in Damascus ๐ธ๐พ๐
(07:50) War Begins ๐ฅ๐
(08:13) Missile in Pool ๐จ๐
(08:46) Losing Home ๐๏ธ๐
(10:37) Decision to Flee ๐งญ๐ข
(12:00) Smuggler Journey โ ๏ธ๐
(13:10) Reaching Lesvos ๐ฌ๐ท๐
(14:40) Sea Crossing ๐ค๐ฑ
(15:11) Arriving in Germany ๐ฉ๐ชโจ
(17:32) Olympic Dream ๐
๐ฅ
(22:12) Olympic Selection ๐๐โโ๏ธ
(24:28) Opening Ceremony ๐๐
(25:36) Global Impact ๐๐ซ
(27:05) Public Speaking ๐๏ธ๐
(31:12) Refugee Advocacy ๐ค๐ป๐ฟ
(34:58) Directing Dreams ๐ฌ๐
(42:28) Mental Health ๐ง ๐
(49:15) ร La Poubelle vs. Fantastique ๐๏ธโจ
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