[10] On arrival in Germany, Mardini continued her training with her coach Sven Spannekrebs from Wasserfreunde Spandau 04 in Berlin, in hopes of qualifying for the Olympics.

[6][9] She attempted to qualify in the 200 metres freestyle swimming event,[8] and in June 2016, Mardini was one of ten athletes selected for the newly formed Refugee Olympic Team.

[13][14][15] International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach said of the refugee athletes, "We help them to make their dream of sporting excellence come true, even when they have to flee war and violence.

I realised that my responsibility is to raise awareness and bring hope to millions of refugees around the world and speak for all of those who do not have a voice".After her decision to end her swimming career, Mardini moved to Los Angeles in 2022 to study Cinema and Visual arts at the University of Southern California.

Since then, she has met and encouraged refugees for example in Zaatari camp, Jordan, spoken at numerous high-level advocacy meetings and media interviews as well as in schools.

Chris Bate, Under Armour managing director in Europe, said: "We are inspired by her drive and accomplishments, both as a person and as an athlete.

[29] In November 2022, a biographical film, inspired by Mardini's life and titled The Swimmers, was theatrically released and distributed on Netflix later the same month.