October 11, 2024
AAPI Youth Rising was humbled to be invited by President Biden to the White House in honoring and cheering on our nation’s athletes at A Celebration of Team USA. On September 30, 2024, several AYR representatives gathered with other invitees on the South Lawn of the White House to meet members of Team USA from this past summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.
Torri Huske, Gold medalist in the 100-meter butterfly and daughter of a Chinese immigrant, spoke about the spirit of the Olympic Games: “The Olympics and Paralympics are so much more than each of our individual accomplishments. Everyone talks about how the Olympics and Paralympics foster peace and international solidarity and it’s true. They unite countries in the spirit of competition. They also inspire others and that’s what each of us did this summer. With each competition we represented not only the flag and its people, but we upheld the legacy that is the United States.”
As President Biden summed up, “Only in America do we believe that anything is possible… There’s nothing we can’t do when we do it together.”
We heard stories of sacrifice and perseverance, felt immense pride for what our nation can be at its best, and even got to touch a few medals! Thank you to the White House for inviting AYR to join in the festivities, and thank you to all our Team USA members for representing and inspiring us all.