Immigrant Athletes Shine in the US Olympic Team.
This summer, the US Olympic team, comprising 594 athletes, highlights the significant contributions of immigrants and their children. These athletes, many of whom have chosen to represent a country amid a challenging immigration climate, underscore the diverse backgrounds that shape the team.
Diverse Journeys to Team USA
An analysis by George Mason University’s Institute for Immigration Research reveals that 3.7% of this year’s US Olympic athletes are foreign-born, while over 7% are children of immigrants. Some athletes came to the USA specifically for sports and later became citizens, like Leonard Korir, an African distance runner who also serves in the US Army.
Basketball and Breaking: A Global Influence
Joel Embiid, born and raised in Cameroon, came to the USA as a high school student to pursue basketball. Similarly, Victor Montalvo, a world champion breakdancer, represents a newer Olympic sport. His family’s journey from Mexico to the USA through the Chihuahuan Desert paved the way for his success.
Track and Field Stars with Harrowing Backstories
Abdihamid Nur, a distance runner, was born in Somalia. His family fled to Kenya and later to Egypt before settling in the USA. Weini Kelati, originally from Eritrea, sought asylum in the USA after competing in the 2014 World Junior Championships. She earned her citizenship just before the 2021 Olympic trials and returned this year, winning the 10,000m race.
Cuban Defectors in Judo
Maria Laborde, a judo bronze medalist in the 2014 World Championships for Cuba, defected to the USA during a competition in Mexico. Seeking asylum, she gave up a likely spot in the 2016 Olympics and her life in Cuba for better opportunities in the USA.
Equestrian Veteran’s Long-Awaited Citizenship
Steffen Peters, a dressage specialist, missed competing for the US in the 1992 Olympics due to citizenship delays. However, he eventually became a US citizen and competed in his sixth Olympics at the age of 59.
Badminton Talent from China
Beiwen Zhang, born in China, represented Singapore internationally before moving to the USA. She has been ranked in the top 10 worldwide in recent years, highlighting her continued success in badminton.
Refugee Parents and Their Athletic Children
Naomi Girma’s father, Girma Aweke, fled Ethiopia during a civil war and famine in the late 1970s. After a perilous journey and resettlement in the USA, his daughter became one of the top center backs in soccer, ranking 36th among The Guardian’s top 100 female footballers.
Yared Nuguse, whose father, Alem Nuguse, also fled Ethiopia, competed in Tokyo in 2021 but had to withdraw due to injury. He is returning as a medal contender in the 1500m, currently ranked second in the world.
Golf Prodigy’s Vietnamese Heritage
Lilia Vu’s grandfather, Dinh Du, built a makeshift boat to escape Vietnam with his family. They were rescued by a US Navy vessel after their boat began leaking. Vu has since become a prominent golfer, continuing her family’s legacy of resilience.
These athletes’ stories of perseverance and dedication illustrate the invaluable contributions of immigrants and their descendants to the US Olympic team, embodying the spirit of diversity and determination.
