Is The Swimmers based on a true story?

Yes. The Swimmers tells the real story of Syrian sisters Yusra and Sara Mardini, who fled the civil war in 2015 and swam alongside their dinghy in the Aegean Sea to save the lives of everyone on board.

Did Yusra Mardini really compete in the Olympics?

Yes. Just one year after fleeing Syria, Yusra Mardini competed in two swimming events at the Rio 2016 Olympics as part of the Refugee Olympic Team.

Are the actors in The Swimmers really sisters?

Yes. Yusra and Sara are played by real life sisters Nathalie and Manal Issa, which is part of why the chemistry between them feels so honest and lived in.

Is The Swimmers suitable for family viewing?

It carries a 15 rating in the UK and TV-MA on Netflix. The themes of war, displacement and danger at sea are intense, so it is best for older teens and adults.

The official Netflix poster for The Swimmers, showing the two sisters together in the sea

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The Swimmers, A True Story of Courage, Sisterhood and Never Giving Up

Published 28th June 2026Updated on 28th June 2026

Written byColleen Brownlee , Colleen Content and Website

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The Swimmers is streaming now on Netflix worldwide. You can watch it at netflix.com/title/81365134.

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