For Asian American women, Olympics reveal a harsh duality

BEIJING (AP) — Across two pandemic Olympics set in Asian countries, Asian American women fronting the Games have encountered a whiplashing duality — prized on the global stage for their medal-winning talent, buffeted by the escalating crisis of racist abuse at home. The world’s most elite and international sporting event, which pits athletes and countries […]

Asian American Olympic athletes

Kai Owens Sport: Skiing Hometown: Vail, Colo. DOB: 8/16/2004 Team: U.S. Moguls Team Quick Facts: She earned Rookie of the Year in 2021 and her favorite part about her sport is jumping. Chloe Kim Sport: Snowboarding Hometown: Torrance, Calif. DOB: 4/23/2000 Team: 2022 U.S. Olympic Snowboard Team; Snowboard Pro Halfpipe Quick Facts: She is a […]

Olympics carry a question: What does it mean to be Japanese?

TOKYO — Two multiracial athletes, two high-profile roles: Rising NBA star Rui Hachimura carried the Japanese flag at the Olympics’ opening ceremony. Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka lit the Olympic cauldron. For Japan, it was a remarkable showcase of racial diversity — but one that also highlighted how much remains missing in a nation that values […]

‘Happy tears’: Lee’s gold sparks joy at home in Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS — There were cheers and screams and “happy tears” for one of their own, and unending delight for what many saw as an “Only in America” story. Sunisa Lee captured the women’s all-around gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics on July 29, a triumph that wowed all of Minnesota but carried special resonance in […]

Japanese Americans win multiple silver medals at Tokyo games

Nyjah Huston finished in seventh place for the U.S. men’s skateboarding team July 25 at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. This was the first time the men’s street skateboarding event was offered at the Olympics. Jay Litherland of Team United States won the silver medal in the men’s 400-meter individual medley, with a time of 4:10.28, […]

Japanese American Olympic athletes

Collin Morikawa Sport: Golf Height: 5’9” Weight: 160 lbs DOB: 2/6/1997 Birthplace: Los Angeles Hometown: La Canada, Calif. College: University of Calif., Berkeley Fun Facts: He received a business administration degree from Cal. Sakura Kokumai Sport: Karate DOB: 10/2/1992 Birthplace: Honolulu Hometown: Stevenson Ranch, Calif. College: Waseda University (masters degree) Coach: Nghia Pham Fun Facts: […]

Huston set on using Olympics to take skateboarding to next level

TOKYO — Nyjah Huston is the most recognizable face in the world of skateboarding, and the American wants to use his profile to broaden the sport’s audience when it debuts at the Tokyo Olympics. Huston, with four world championships and more than 10 X Games titles to his name, will appear in the men’s street […]

Tokyo COVID infections at six-month high two days before start of Olympics

TOKYO — Tokyo’s coronavirus infections have surged to a six-month high with the Olympic host city logging 1,832 new cases just two days before the Games open. Tokyo is currently under its fourth state of emergency, which will last until Aug. 22, covering the entire duration of the Olympics that start July 23 and end […]

U.S. warns against travel to Japan with Olympics just 2 months away

WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department on May 24 advised its citizens not to visit Japan due to a surge in coronavirus cases, raising its travel alert to the highest level of 4 just two months before the start of the Tokyo Olympics. Although the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee played down concerns that the […]

Olympics cancellation likely to cost Japan $17 bil.

TOKYO — Cancelling the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics this summer would cost Japan around 1.81 trillion yen ($17 billion), a research institute estimate showed May 25, as Japan scrambles to curb coronavirus infections with the major sporting event now just two months away. The Nomura Research Institute warns of even a bigger economic loss if […]