The UN refugee agency on Thursday chose as a goodwill ambassador a Syrian teenage girl who helped save a boat carrying fellow refugees and later became an Olympic swimmer.
Yusra Mardini joined other notables like actress Cate Blanchett and author Khaled Hosseini in the unpaid advocacy role.
UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi said Mardini “represents the hopes, the fears and the incredible potential of the more than 10 million young refugees around the globe.”
Mardini and her sister Sarah jumped overboard and swam for hours alongside their overloaded boat to reach Greece from Turkey in 2015.
She swam on the first Refugee Olympic team in Rio last year and has discussed refugees’ challenges with leaders like Pope Francis and President Barack Obama.
-
Syria sport facilities transformed into army bases detention centers
In Syria, everything can be destroyed. The regime’s war for survival knows no limits. Even sport facilities can be destroyed, damaged or turned into ... Videos -
PROFILE: Meet Mohammed al-Sheikh, the new head of Saudi Sports Authority
According to a royal decree issued on Saturday, Mohammed bin Abdulmalek bin Abdullah al-Sheikh was assigned head of the Sports Authority to succeed ... Sports -
PHOTOS: May and Princess Rima bint Bandar bin Sultan talk about sports
British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday met with Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Vice-President of the General ... Features -
How naturalization of foreign players affects Arab sports
Nations seek out the country where a certain sport flourishes, then begin taking athletes from there and giving them their respective nationality Sports