Mardini was one of the ten athletes to compete in the Olympics as part of the first-ever Refugee Olympic Team. Her story captivated the world; leaving everything behind and fleeing her home in Damascus — a journey that would take her through Lebanon, Turkey, Aegean Sea to Greece, before finally making it to Germany, where she would start anew and begin training again. 

Her inspiring story has been well-documented, even becoming a Netflix film. Now, Mardini hopes the world will give other refugees a chance to tell their story. 

“I want [the world] to know that they’re funny, they’re kind, they’re brave and they have incredible stories,” she told Olympics.com in an exclusive interview. 

“When I met a few of them that were on the team back then, I was truly inspired by the way they approached life. They were so positive and they have a different perspective about the world, and I love that about them.”

“I just hope the world will open their hearts and minds to them and hear their stories,” she continued.

The 26-year-old competed with the Refugee Olympic Team in Rio 2016 —just a year after the IOC announced its creation— and again in Tokyo 2020. This summer, 36 athletes from 11 different countries, each with their own story to tell, will form part  of this year’s Refugee Olympic Team will represent more than 100 million displaced people at Paris 2024.

Mardini shared with Olympics.com some words of wisdom for this year’s hopefuls. “My advice would be to focus on doing your own thing,” she said. “If you feel overwhelmed, you should talk to someone from the team, they have people to take care of them on-site. I just wish them the best of luck and I want them to enjoy every single moment of it and do the things that they do best, which is their sports.”

While Mardini is now retired and will not be competing in this year’s 100m freestyle and butterfly events, she’s not going to miss any of the action. Mardini will be covering the Refugee Olympic Team for Warner Bros. Discovery in her new role as a Eurosport Reporter. “I think I am very lucky to be around for a third Olympics, even if I’m not an athlete anymore.” the now-retired swimmer commented on her new appointment. "The Olympic Games is just so special that I am lucky to be there in any way.”