Immigrants Make A Significant Contribution to the U.S. Olympic Team in Tokyo

Of the 600 U.S. athletes at the recent Olympic Games in Tokyo, more than 5% -- 34 athletes – were born in other countries.  They participated in 21 sports and won medals at an even greater rate than their U.S.-born colleagues.  Perhaps most notable was Suni Lee, the first Olympian of Hmong descent, who won several gymnastics medals including the all-around gold.  Nelly Korda, a U.S.-born golfer of Czech immigrants, won gold, while her sister Jessica also competed.

Swimmer Jay Litherland was born in Japan, so he was thrilled to return to his birth country to take silver in the men’s 400-meter individual relay.  Catarina Macario, born in Brazil, helped Team USA win bronze in women’s soccer.  Foluke Akinradewo-Gunderson was born in Canada and won gold for the U.S. in Tokyo.

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Read here to see even more Olympic contributions and medals by immigrants and children of immigrants.