Sports have always been a unifying force in society, bringing people together across boundaries, cultures, and nations. In the United States, this unifying power has taken on a new dimension as immigrant athletes play increasingly significant roles in shaping the nation’s sporting landscape. From the Olympics to professional leagues, immigrants are not just participating; they are excelling and leading. This transformation is especially visible in U.S. sports, where athletes from around the world come to train, compete, and eventually call the U.S. home.
The 32nd Summer Olympics, held in Tokyo in 2021 after a delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, serves as a vivid example of the impact immigrant athletes have on U.S. sports. TeamUSA, representing the United States, fielded around 600 athletes and won an astounding 113 medals, including 39 golds—the most of any country. This achievement, however, was not solely the work of American-born athletes. In fact, 34 athletes on TeamUSA were born outside the United States, illustrating how the immigration to the U.S. system helps foster a competitive edge.
Immigrants and the Olympic Success Story
TeamUSA’s roster included athletes from Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and Australia, representing the global reach of U.S. sports. These foreign-born athletes accounted for approximately 5 percent of the U.S. delegation, and their contributions spanned across numerous sports, including track and field, equestrian, fencing, volleyball, and table tennis. The diversity within TeamUSA highlights how immigration to the U.S. has strengthened its athletic programs by attracting world-class talent from various countries.
These athletes come from different backgrounds and follow different paths to compete for the U.S. Some were born abroad to U.S. citizen parents, while others were adopted as children or moved to the U.S. in search of better athletic opportunities. Olympic diver Jordan Windle, for example, was born in Cambodia and adopted by a single gay father in the U.S. at 18 months old. Another Olympian, gymnast Yul Moldauer, was adopted from South Korea as an infant and grew up in Colorado. These stories illustrate how immigrants or children of immigrants not only enrich U.S. sports but also contribute to the nation’s social and cultural diversity.
Paths to Citizenship for Immigrant Athletes
For an athlete to compete for TeamUSA, they must be a U.S. citizen. While some athletes are born into citizenship, others obtain it later in life through various means, such as military service, education, or athletic scholarships. The U.S. has always attracted international athletes due to its top-tier training facilities, coaching expertise, and sports programs.
Many athletes, like swimmer Jay Litherland, whose family moved to the U.S. from Japan when he was a child, came to the country seeking greater athletic opportunities. Litherland, a bilingual athlete, won a silver medal in the men’s 400-meter individual relay at the Tokyo Olympics. Catarina Macario, who was born in Brazil, moved to California at the age of 12 to play soccer. She became a U.S. citizen in 2020 and was a member of TeamUSA’s bronze-winning women’s soccer team. Her journey from immigrant to Olympic athlete underscores how the U.S. sports system benefits from immigration by providing opportunities for aspiring athletes from around the world.
For some immigrant athletes, military service is a pathway to both U.S. citizenship and an Olympic career. Greco-Roman wrestler Ildar Hafizov, who originally competed for Uzbekistan in the 2008 Olympics, moved to the U.S. in 2014 and enlisted in the U.S. Army a year later. As a member of the Army’s World Class Athlete Program (WCAP), Hafizov became eligible to compete for TeamUSA. Similarly, Kenyan-born athletes Hillary Bor, Paul Chelimo, and Benard Keter all gained U.S. citizenship through their service in the military, showcasing the unique opportunities the U.S. offers to immigrant athletes.
Immigrant Families and U.S. Sports
Many Olympians who represented TeamUSA were born in the U.S. but are the children of immigrants. These athletes often bring a multicultural perspective to their sports, blending their family heritage with their American upbringing. A perfect example is gold medal-winning gymnast Sunisa Lee, the first Olympian of Hmong descent. Lee’s success has become a point of pride not just for the U.S. but for the Hmong community, illustrating how immigrants and their children continue to shape the cultural fabric of U.S. sports.
Gold medal-winning golfer Nelly Korda and her sister Jessica are the daughters of Czech tennis players who immigrated to the U.S. Their athletic success speaks to the opportunities immigrant families find in the U.S. sports system. Meanwhile, women’s 800-meter gold medalist Athing Mu, the daughter of Sudanese immigrants, has become one of the most prominent young athletes in the world, symbolizing the future of U.S. athletics.
The Broader Impact of Immigrant Athletes on U.S. Sports
Immigrant athletes’ influence extends beyond the Olympics. In professional sports leagues like the NBA, NHL, and MLB, immigrant athletes from around the world are key contributors. While many immigrant athletes become U.S. citizens and represent TeamUSA, others choose to compete for their home countries while living, training, and playing professionally in the U.S. For instance, NBA players like Boban Marjanovic, Luka Dončić, and Pau Gasol played for their home countries of Serbia, Slovenia, and Spain, respectively, during the Tokyo Olympics.
These athletes demonstrate the broader impact of the U.S. sports system on global athletics. U.S. universities, training facilities, and professional leagues provide opportunities for athletes from all over the world, helping them hone their skills and achieve excellence. Even if these athletes compete for other countries in international events like the Olympics, their success is often linked to the high-quality training and competition they experience in the U.S.
For example, Ugandan runner Emmanuel Kipkurui Korir, who won gold in the men’s 800-meter event, was an NCAA champion at the University of Texas-El Paso. Canadian runner Andre De Grasse, who took home the gold in the 200-meter sprint, honed his skills while competing for the University of Southern California. These athletes’ achievements highlight how the U.S. sports system not only benefits American athletes but also contributes to the success of athletes from around the world.
Conclusion: A Winning Formula
The success of immigrant athletes in U.S. sports showcases the country’s unique ability to attract and develop talent from all over the world. Whether through Olympic success or professional leagues, the contributions of immigrants have undeniably enriched U.S. sports and the culture surrounding it. By embracing diversity and providing opportunities for people from all walks of life, the U.S. continues to be a powerhouse in the global sports arena.
As the U.S. celebrates its athletic triumphs, it’s essential to recognize and honor the immigrant athletes who have played such a pivotal role in these successes. Their stories are a testament to the strength and inclusivity of the American sports system—one that benefits not just from homegrown talent but from the contributions of people who have come to the U.S. in search of a better life, both on and off the field.
