Lots of medals. Lots of skin colors. See the connection?

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A man stands in front of the Djingareyber mosque on February 4, 2016 in Timbuktu, central Mali.
Mali's fabled city of Timbuktu on February 4 celebrated the recovery of its historic mausoleums, destroyed during an Islamist takeover of northern Mali in 2012 and rebuilt thanks to UN cultural agency UNESCO.
TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY SEBASTIEN RIEUSSEC / AFP / SÉBASTIEN RIEUSSEC

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October 22, 2024

By Michele L. Norris

Diversity shows its value in the makeup of Team USA.

Jordan Chiles, Hezly Rivera, Jade Carey, Sunisa Lee and Simone Biles celebrate after winning a gold medal at the Olympic Games on July 30. (Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

Diversity is now a core part of America’s brand. In gymnastics and swimming. In fencing and rugby. In skatebroading, tennis, boxing, basketball and so much more. In commentary from Snoop Dogg and Flavor Flav. In the massive billboards all over Paris from U.S.-based companies such as Nike and Ralph Lauren that feature brown-skinned models. And let’s not forget the music that’s played to pump up the audience at all the events — whether or not Americans are competing. I was at the Paris Olympics for a few days, and at every venue I visited, American music with a funky beat was the go-to choice to fire up crowds and athletes from all over the world.

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More than just sports, read more about African American athletes.

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