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Three Citizenships, One Athlete

Summer Games 7 July 2015

 

 GWANGJU Playing tennis for Giuliana Olmos is simple, representing a country is not. Her father is from Mexico, yet was born in her mothers home country of Austria. “At the age of two my parents moved to the United States where I grew up in California,” said Olmos. “Because of my parents nationality and their move to the US, I have citizenship in all three countries.”

Although she represents Mexico at the Universiade, she is a senior at the University of Southern California (USC) majoring in international relations and minoring in occupational therapy. “I competed internationally for the US until I was 16. At that time I was ranked number 2 in the US when Mexico approached me and offered me a spot on the national team.”  She accepted the spot and continued to gain momentum by playing in Mexico, eventually taking the Gold at a junior tournament. “That gave me more attention by Mexico when they decided to sponsor me and help pay for some of my expenses. Tennis is an expensive sport so it gave me an opportunity to travel which exposed to me to a new level of the sport.”

Gwangju marks the second Universiade for Olmos, previously competing in Kazan, Russia. “I love being able to play for Mexico because I get along really well with the girls. Its been amazing learning opportunity getting to travel the world and experience different cultures.”

Olmos will continue to play in professional tournaments up until season with USC. After graduation she will pursue her love of tennis with aspirations to go pro and become a sponsored athlete.


Lizzy Whitbeck (USA), FISU Young Reporter