As a last resort, the Mardini sisters and another strong swimmer jumped into the water to give the boat more buoyancy. The Mardini sisters had been among Syria's brightest swimming stars and their family had been moving around to avoid the fighting so they could continue swimming. RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) " Swimmer Yusra Mardini, who survived a harrowing sea crossing a year ago and is now among 10 refugees competing under the Olympic flag in Rio, won her preliminary heat in the 100-meter butterfly Saturday. Mardini was a competitive swimmer in Syria until she fled the war with her sister last August and survived a hazardous crossing on the Aegean Sea to reach Europe. The passengers' bags were thrown overboard in an effort to stay afloat as wind churned up the Aegean Sea.

Source: New Zealand Herald August 07, 2016 00:33 UTC