First Asian-American to win Olympic gold medal has roots in the Valley

10 months ago 26
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FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - The archetypal Asian-American to triumph an Olympic golden medal for the United States, inspiring countless aboriginal athletes portion besides breaking barriers, has roots successful the Central Valley.

Sammy Lee was the archetypal Asian-American to triumph an Olympic golden medal for the United States, and helium was calved successful Fresno successful 1920, according to officials with the Shinzen Friendship Garden.

The 5-foot Korean descent became the archetypal antheral to triumph consecutive Olympic titles successful level diving successful 1948 and 1952, and helium was the oldest diver astatine property 32 to triumph Olympic gold, according to an AP article. He earned a bronze 3-meter springboard astatine the 1948 games arsenic well.

Lee was besides inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame successful 1968 and the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame successful 1990.

However, Lee faced galore difficulties successful achieving his goals; his section nationalist excavation backmost past lone allowed radical minorities connected Wednesdays, which were called "international days", limiting his quality to train.

According to diplomacy.state.gov., helium was taken arsenic a pupil by Jim Ryan, a section manager who taught him however to dive successful a sandpit, which Lee says strengthened his legs.

The medallist earned his aesculapian grade from the University of Southern California portion helium was grooming for the Olympics. Lee, who inspired galore athletes, passed distant successful December of 2016 astatine 96 years old.

He was survived by his wife, Roz, children Pamela and Sammy II, and 3 grandchildren.

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