Asian Americans Mentor Others Chasing Olympic Medals

Many athletes are already looking forward to the 2026 Winter Olympics to be held in Italy. Asian American athletes are sure to be well represented there, thanks in part to a new athletic alliance designed to get Asian Americans into the Games. VOA's Jessica Stone reports.

When, 22 year old Nathan Chen won Olympic gold in February, it sparked a moment of reflection:

Nathan Chen; U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist:

“I think representation is so important in growing up being able to have characters like Michelle Kwan and Kristi Yamaguchi.

Two-time Olympic medalist, Michelle Kwan - soon responded on Facebook, holding her infant daughter, Callista.

Michelle Kwan, U.S. Olympic Figure Skating Champion

“It could not go to a more well deserving person. Who persevered, blood sweat and tears. All the while representing our sport, Asian-Americans, and the entire country so well!”.

Chen and Kwan are part of what’s become known as the Asian-American pipeline in figure skating. Four out of six on Team USA are of Chinese descent. Overall, Americans of Asian heritage dominated at the Beijing Olympics — earning 3 out of 8 gold medals for US Olympians.

They also faced extra public scrutiny….especially when two Chinese Americans chose to compete for China. But for athletes like Chelsea Kung it’s not about who you represent but what you achieve.

Chelsea Kung; Yale University Student Athlete:

“At the end of the day, this is their choice, who they represent, and like why can’t we just celebrate, and celebrate greatness at the same time?” :

Vicky Chun leads the Athletic Department at Yale where Chelsea Kung and Nathan Chen are students. Chun has followed Chen’s career closely.

Vicky Chun; Yale University Athletic Director:

“He is such a role model, that it gives Asians an opportunity to go for their dream.”

Chun didn’t have her pick of role models when she was a student athlete or an administrator. Ten years ago, she set out to meet one of the only *other* Asian-American college athletic directors in the country: Pat Chun.

Vicky Chun; Yale University Athletic Director

“And then I see him and I see his name tag, Pat Chun, and I’m like - ‘brother,’ and he’s like ‘cousin!’”

Pat Chun; Washington State University Athletic Director:

“Meeting her is like meeting someone you’d be friends with for 30 years. So that was the start of a fast friendship.”

In April of 2021, the two formed 4AAPI - a network to promote and mentor Asian-American athletes in college sports and beyond. It launched after a spike in hate crimes against Asian-Americans.

Pat Chun, Washington State University Athletic Director:

“We have student athletes who are Asian that worried about personal safety and that’s a hard conversation to have to try and comfort them when there are random acts of violence against people just because of the way they look.”

Chelsea Kung, Yale University Student Athlete:

“My main friend group is Asian-American, and we were just shocked, like at some point, I didn’t even know how to discern how I should go about life.”

With 4AAPI, Asian-American athletes now have a collective platform for advocacy. They’re not only hitting their peak of athletic achievement…they are finding their voices so that others can follow..

Vicky Chun: Yale University Athletic Director:

“I truly believe that when you’re young, and you see someone hit a pinnacle, and they look similar to you - you can relate.”


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We are all Americans and I take inspiration from different people from all backgrounds.
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