Figure skating in the U.S. is now plainly an Asian American sport.
For the second consecutive Winter Games, four of the six figure skaters representing the U.S. in the singles events are Asian American: Karen Chen, Nathan Chen, Alysa Liu and Vincent Zhou. nyti.ms/3HIBZHn
For the second consecutive Winter Games, four of the six figure skaters representing the U.S. in the singles events are Asian American: Karen Chen, Nathan Chen, Alysa Liu and Vincent Zhou. nyti.ms/3HIBZHn
Asians make up around 7% of the U.S. population but have become vividly overrepresented in ice rinks and competitions at every level, from coast to coast.
Gradually, they have transformed a sport that, until the 1990s, was almost uniformly white. nyti.ms/3HIBZHn
Gradually, they have transformed a sport that, until the 1990s, was almost uniformly white. nyti.ms/3HIBZHn
Skaters have infused competitions with music that draws from their Asian heritage, expressing their roots while navigating the perils of hate on social media and a climate of anxiety about anti-Asian violence. nyti.ms/3HIBZHn
Many Asian American skaters mention being inspired by a chain of early pioneers.
Alysa Liu, 16, a two-time U.S. champion, began skating in part because her father became a big fan of Michelle Kwan after immigrating to the U.S. from China. nyti.ms/3HIBZHn
Alysa Liu, 16, a two-time U.S. champion, began skating in part because her father became a big fan of Michelle Kwan after immigrating to the U.S. from China. nyti.ms/3HIBZHn
Asians have long struggled with a lack of representation in U.S. popular culture. For these skaters, seeing elements of themselves mirrored in top athletes can be a soul-stirring experience.
Read more about the Asian American pipeline in figure skating. nyti.ms/3HIBZHn
Read more about the Asian American pipeline in figure skating. nyti.ms/3HIBZHn
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