Immigrant Olympians

Immigrant Olympians on Team USA

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The United States’ resources, training facilities, coaching, and athletic excellence attract top athletes from around the world, and our generous immigration system is a big part of our Olympic success story.

Immigrant Olympians take a variety of paths to arrive in the United States, and they contribute to the overall success of Team USA. Some came to the United States as children, others came to attend college or train, still others had to flee their countries due to violence. Yet all became U.S. citizens and proudly represent Team USA.

Many international athletes who live, train, and compete in the United States choose to represent their home countries in the Olympics. These athletes also represent the success of the U.S. immigration system because our universities, training facilities, and professional leagues benefit athletically and financially from their excellence.

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2026 Winter Olympics

Milano Cortina, Italy

The 2026 Winter Olympics includes approximately 3,500 athletes who represent 93 National Olympic Committees countries or territories as well the Individual Neutral Athlete delegation. The United States is sending a delegation of over 230 athletes. Team USA is comprised of athletes who were born in the United States as well as athletes born abroad and athletes who are children of immigrant parents or second-generation immigrants. When examining individual athletes’ profiles, approximately 3.0% of athletes competing on Team USA are foreign-born and another 13.5% are children of immigrant parents(s). Combined, nearly 17% of Team USA has direct immigrant ties. For more information, click here.

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2024 Summer Olympics

Paris, France

The 2024 Summer Olympics includes approximately 10,500 athletes who represent 206 National Olympic Committees countries or territories as well the IOC Refugee Olympic Team. The United States is sending a delegation of over 500 athletes who will compete in nearly every sport. Team USA is a diverse group of athletes who were born in the United States as well as athletes born abroad and athletes who are children of immigrant parents. Approximately four percent of athletes competing on Team USA are foreign-born and more than seven percent of athletes on Team USA are children of immigrant parent(s) or second-generation immigrants. This commentary piece examines the foreign-born and second-generation born immigrant athletes on Team USA as well as the changing demographics of athletes on the Refugee Olympic Team.

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Immigrants' Pivotal Role in TeamUSA's Olympic Success

IIR Program Coordinator Michele Waslin published an op ed in The Hill describing how the United States’s resources, training facilities, coaching and athletic excellence attract top athletes from around the world, and our generous immigration system is a big part of our Olympic success story.

Foreign-Born Olympians

Tokyo 2021

At least 33 of the TeamUSA Olympians were not born here, but have made the United States their home and proudly represent this country. Thirteen hail from Europe, followed by seven from Asia, six from Africa, five from the Americas, and two from Australia. These foreign-born athletes comprise approximately five percent of the US delegation and represent the best of US athletics from track and field to equestrian, fencing, table tennis, volleyball, water polo, and 15 additional sports. These international athletes take a variety of paths to arrive in the United States, and they contribute to the overall success of TeamUSA.

See all of our foreign-born Olympians here.

Immigrant Olympians on Team USA

Photo Credit: Canva