Three years ago when Nneka Echikunwoke arrived at the Tokyo Olympics, she had to leave even before the show even started because Nigeria is listed among “high-risk” doping countries.
Fast forward to the ongoing Olympics in Paris, she has won Silver for the US after changing nationality.
Though born in Ohio, Echikunwoke is one of many immigrants across the US a similar struggle. Nevertheless, as the 2024 Paris Olympics unfold, Team USA stands out not only for its athletic prowess but also for its remarkable diversity.
Keturah Orji
We already started with Echikunwoke, one of the second-generation immigrants who take up 7% of TeamUS. Another is Keturah Orji who shares Nigeria as a second home with Echikunwoke. Orji is an American track and field athlete who specializes in the triple jump and long jump. She represented the United States at the 2016 Rio Olympics and 2020 Tokyo Olympics, finishing fourth in Rio and setting an American record.
Born in 1996 in New Jersey, she excelled at the University of Georgia, winning multiple NCAA championships and setting collegiate records. Her career highlights include holding the American outdoor triple jump record, winning multiple U.S. national championships, and claiming gold at the 2022 World Athletics Indoor Championships. She is also the first American woman to win a global gold medal in the triple jump.
Suni Lee
Sunisa “Suni” Lee is an accomplished American artistic gymnast born on March 9, 2003, in St. Paul, Minnesota. Lee’s breakthrough came at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics – held in 2021 – where she won gold in the individual all-around competition, silver in the team event, and bronze on the uneven bars.
This success made her the first Asian American woman to win the Olympic all-around title. Following her Olympic triumph, Lee attended Auburn University, competing in NCAA gymnastics while balancing her professional career. Known for her difficulty and precision, particularly on the uneven bars.
Evita Griskenas
Evita Griskenas also made her Olympic debut in Tokyo 2020. Griskenas is a multiple-time U.S. national champion and won gold in the all-around at the 2019 Pan American Games. Born on April 15, 2001, in Orland Park, Illinois, she is known for her graceful performances and technical skill across all apparatus (hoop, ball, clubs, and ribbon).
Foreign Born Athletes
Among the United States athletes, approximately 3.7% are foreign-born, hailing from 16 different countries. This rich potpourri of backgrounds adds a unique dimension to the American team, showcasing the nation’s commitment to inclusivity and representation.
Steffen Peters, who originally comes from Germany, represents the US as a dressage rider, He is a four-time Olympian having competed in 1996, 2008, 2012, and 2020.
Beiwen Zhang, a talented badminton player from China while Grant Fisher, who represents the U.S. in track and field, was born in Canada. Margherita Guzzi Vincenti, an accomplished athlete from Italy, represents the US in fencing.
Maria Laborde, who won bronze for Cuba in 2014 defected from her native nation before Rio 2016 and is now on TeamUSA for the Paris Olympics.
Joel Embiid took a similar bold step by moving from Cameroon to learn a new sport where he is now a top player-–basketball. Weini Kelati is a middle and long-distance runner, originally from Eritrea, who claimed asylum in the US 10 years ago, and this takes us back to Echikunwoke.
Nigeria being tagged “high risk” meant she had to go through more drug tests than her counterparts. Issues like this often deter many from achieving their dreams at all or achieving it early which she described saying, “I think (this medal) could have happened three years ago, but I’m happy it’s happening now,” Echikunwoke said. “I feel like everything happens for a reason, even if it’s bad or good or ugly or whatever the case may be. This is beautiful.”
Nevertheless, Team USA’s ability to harness these diverse backgrounds not only enhance the team’s representation but also reflects the broader narrative of America as a melting pot of cultures and aspirations.
