Within months, Mardini was in Brazil, one of the 43 stateless athletes competing in Rio as the first ever refugee team.
Few of his characters, however, have had to show quite as much resilience and determination as his latest protagonist, Yusra Mardini.
Heinkelein said the refugee-turned-Olympian-turned-ambassador was unlikely to be changed or distracted by the latest turn in an already remarkable life.
They were less than half an hour into their journey when the motor stopped and the boat threatened to capsize.