The Syrian swimmer recently visited the Kakuma Refugee Camp in northern Kenya and wants those who have been displaced by conflict and persecution to be given the chance to transform their lives through the medium of sport ahead of this summer's Olympic Games in Paris.

Mardini – a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations (UN) refugee agency UNCHR – said: "I have seen for myself the hugely positive impact sport can have on the lives of people who had to flee war, conflict or persecution, as they look for a sense of normality amid the huge disruption they have endured."

The Kakuma Refugee Camp and the Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement are home to more than 288,000 refugees and asylum seekers and sport has long been seen as a way for the residents to heal, grow and escape from their everyday concerns in a safe environment.

Mardini – who competed for the Refugee Olympic Team at the Rio and Tokyo Games in 2016 and 2020 respectively and saw her story adapted for the big screen in the 2022 Netflix film 'The Swimmers' – met arrivals from Sudan who have fled the devastating conflict in the country and witnessed the challenges that refugees have to cope with everyday.

She said: "I am honoured to attend this year's Olympics as a presenter for Eurosport, where I hope to help highlight the incredible stories of refugee athletes competing on the Refugee Olympic Team.

"But although these athletes are at the top of their game, it's vital that all refugees have access to sports to help build fulfilling lives."