Olympic Refugee Team athlete Yusra Mardini of Syria has been named appointed as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees ©UNHCR

Olympic Refugee Team athlete Yusra Mardini of Syria has been named appointed as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Mardini, who competed in swimming at last year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, has joined the organisation, the UN's Refugee Agency, at a time of "unprecedented crisis with 65 million people displaced worldwide", according to the UNHCR.

The 19-year-old, who participated in the 100 metres freestyle and the 100m butterfly events in the Brazilian city, said she was honoured to be taking on the position.

"I could not be more proud to be part of the UNHCR family and #TeamRefugees," she said.

"I want to encourage all refugees to continue with education and not stop at one point in their lives.”

Mardini, who has been granted asylum in Germany, is the youngest goodwill ambassador working with UNHCR.

She joins the likes of Cate Blanchett, celebrated author Khaled Hosseini and TV star Kristin Davis in taking on the role.

Mardini has also been congratulated by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach.

Mardini has become the youngest goodwill ambassador working with UNHCR ©IOC
Mardini has become the youngest goodwill ambassador working with UNHCR ©IOC

"The participation of Yusra and her fellow athletes of the Refugee Olympic Team at the Olympic Games Rio 2016 sent a message of hope to all refugees in the world," said Bach. 

"It demonstrated to a global public that refugees are our fellow human beings and are an enrichment to society. 

"It is my hope that, through her role as UNHCR goodwill ambassador, Yusra will continue to inspire refugees, reminding us that anyone can contribute to society through their talent, skills and strength of the human spirit.”

UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, described Mardini as a "a deeply inspiring young woman".

"Through her powerful story, Yusra represents the hopes, the fears and the incredible potential of the more than 10 million young refugees around the globe.”

Last month, Bach pledged to work towards closer relations with the UNHCR.

Bach and Grandi vowed to build on the success of the Refugees Olympic Team which featured at Rio 2016 at a meeting in Geneva.

A 10-strong refugees team competed at the Brazilian Games.

A similar team at Tokyo 2020 was described as a "work in progress" following the meeting.