Every four years, Israel holds the "Maccabia," which is similar to the Olympics, yet all participants are Jewish from around the globe.

During the semi-finals of the swimming competition, we laid our eyes on Shireen Spiro, an Olympic swimmer from South Africa, on line seven.

Her story is truly unique.

[Shireen Spiro, Swimmer]:
“I love what I do, and I mean I really enjoy swimming; it’s my passion. So if you really enjoy doing something, you'll work hard at it; and you always want to become better at it. And I think it’s very important to love what you do because if you don’t, you don’t really want to be there.”

In this 100m butterfly swim-race, Shireen is one of the “regular” swimmers. She does look completely regular, yet…she is not. Her severe injuries from a 2004 boat accident left her in a life and death battle. Winning her life back was really only the beginning for Shireen, who then had to learn how to walk again.

Her recovery is a miracle. In 2008, four years after her dramatic injury, Shireen competed in the Paralympics, winning gold in the 100 meter backstroke.

Shireen has been ranked as top 20 in South Africa’s swimming team and was recognized as an excellent athlete by the last president, Nelson Mandela.

And now she has competed in Israel’s Maccabia too.

[Shireen Spiro, Swimmer]:
“The results haven’t been too great. I mean I haven’t been swimming best times, but I’m happy with the way I've been swimming now.”

Shireen doesn't like to think of herself as disabled. Her perseverance, pursuing her dream no matter what, is inspiring for all the young generations.

And what does the future hold for Shireen, besides finishing her last year of high school?

[Shireen Spiro, Swimmer]:
“Next year I want to try and get a scholarship to go and swim and study in America, and then after that I plan on swimming many more Olympics…"