American Samoa at the 2020 Summer Olympics

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American Samoa at the
2020 Summer Olympics
Flag of American Samoa
IOC codeASA
NOCAmerican Samoa National Olympic Committee
in Tokyo, Japan
July 23, 2021 (2021-07-23) – August 8, 2021 (2021-08-08)
Competitors6 (5 men and 1 woman) in 4 sports
Flag bearers (opening)Tilali Scanlan
Tanumafili Malietoa Jungblut
Flag bearer (closing)Nathan Crumpton
Officials4
Medals
Gold
0
Silver
0
Bronze
0
Total
0
Summer Olympics appearances (overview)

American Samoa competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Originally scheduled to take place from July 24 to August 9, 2020, the Games have been postponed to July 23 to August 8, 2021, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The country's participation in Tokyo marked its ninth consecutive appearance in the Summer Olympics since its debut in the 1988 Summer Olympics.

The American Samoa delegation included six athletes: sprinter Nathan Crumpton, sailors Adrian Hoesch and Tyler Paige, swimmers Micah Masei and Tilali Scanlan, and weightlifter Tanumafili Jungblut. Most of the athletes from the delegation were invited through universality slots, besides Jungblut, who was invited through a tripartite invitation quota, and the two sailors who qualified through class-associated World Championships and continental regattas. Jungblut and Scanlan were the flagbearers for the opening ceremony, while Crumpton held it at the closing ceremony. All athletes did not medal, and as of these Games, American Samoa has yet to earn an Olympic medal.

Background[edit]

Originally scheduled to take place from 24 July to 9 August 2020, the Games were postponed to 23 July to 8 August 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] This edition of the Games marked the nation's ninth appearance at the Summer Olympics ever since they debuted at the 1988 Summer Olympics held in Seoul, South Korea.[2]

Delegation[edit]

Two officials and two coaches, namely: American Samoa National Olympic Committee president Ed Imo, attaché Meafou Imo, weightlifting coach Monica Afalava, and athletics coach Sonny Sanitoa, traveled to Honolulu on July 8, 2024, from American Samoa for a connecting flight towards Tokyo, Japan, the site of the Games. The rest of the delegation flew in from other nations and met in Tokyo before July 19, 2024.[3]

Fourteen people composed the delegation. Officials present were Ed Imo, Meafou Imo, chef de mission Ken Yamada,[4] and delegation secretary general Ethan Lake.[5] Coaches present were Monica Afalava, Sonny Sanitoa, sailing coach Stephen Keen, and swimming coach Ryan Leong.[4] The athletes that competed were sprinter Nathan Crumpton, who competed in the men's 100 m, sailors Adrian Hoesch and Tyler Paige, who competed in the men's 470, swimmers Micah Masei and Tilali Scanlan, who competed in the men's 100 m breaststroke and women's 100 m breaststroke respectively, and weightlifter Tanumafili Jungblut, who competed in the men's 109 kg category.[6]

Opening and closing ceremonies[edit]

The American Samoan delegation marched 156th out of 206 countries in the 2020 Summer Olympics Parade of Nations within the opening ceremony, which was unusual as the nation usually marched toward the beginning of former opening ceremonies due to the nation's name starting with the letter A,[7] but the organizers of the Games decided to use the formal name of the nation[a] and the kana system.[8]

At the opening ceremony, all athletes and their coaches were present in the parade of nations, with weightlifter Tanumafili Jungblut and swimmer Tilali Scanlan as the flagbearers for the nation. The delegation wore red and black elei, with the men wearing black 'ie faitaga and the women wearing red and black puletasi. The flagbearers also wore red ulafala.[7]

At the closing ceremony, sprinter Nathan Crumpton was the designated flagbearer for the nation.[9]

Competitors[edit]

The following is the list of number of competitors in the Games.

Sport Men Women Total
Athletics 1 0 1
Sailing 2 0 2
Swimming 1 1 2
Weightlifting 1 0 1
Total 5 1 6

Athletics[edit]

Main articles: Athletics at the 2020 Summer Olympics and Athletics at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Qualification

American Samoa received a universality slot from World Athletics to send a male track and field athlete to the Olympics.[10] The nation selected Nathan Crumpton,[11] a skeleton athlete who previously represented the United States in international competition, placing as high as eighth place at the World Championships[12] but ultimately left the national team in 2019 after an arbitration case was filed against the United States Bobsled and Skeleton Federation, as well as stating that he would like to represent his Polynesian heritage.[13] Before the Games, Crumpton had never competed in the 100 metres or any sprinting event, with the only athletics experience he had being a long and triple jumper for Princeton University.[14]

Crumpton preparing for training
Crumpton (third from right) running in the preliminary heats

Crumpton competed in his event on July 31, 2021,[15] running in the first preliminary heat in the second lane. He finished with a time of 11.27 seconds, ultimately finishing last in his preliminary but setting a new personal best in the event and running the second fastest 100 metres time by an American Samoan sprinter at the Olympic Games. He did not advance.[16][17]

Key
  • Note–Ranks given for track events are within the athlete's heat only
  • Q = Qualified for the next round
  • q = Qualified for the next round as a fastest loser or, in field events, by position without achieving the qualifying target
  • NR = National record
  • N/A = Round not applicable for the event
  • Bye = Athlete not required to compete in round
Track & road events
Athlete Event Preliminaries Heat Quarterfinal Semifinal Final
Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank
Nathan Crumpton Men's 100 m 11.27 PB 9 Did not advance

Sailing[edit]

The Enoshima Yacht Harbor, where the pair competed in their event
Main articles: Sailing at the 2020 Summer Olympics and Sailing at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Qualification

American Samoan sailors qualified one boat in each of the following classes through the class-associated World Championships and the continental regattas, marking the country's recurrence to the sport for the first time since the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.[18] The pair, Adrian Hoesch and Tyler Paige, qualified by winning the 2020 Sail Melbourne International for the Men's 470 class spot.[19][20]

The pair competed in their event from July 28 to August 4, 2021, at the Enoshima Yacht Harbor in Enoshima. At the Games, Paige was at the helm, while Hoesch was the crew.[21] They were eliminated before the medal rounds, scoring 159 points and placing 18th overall.[22]

Athlete Event Race Net points Final rank
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 M*
Adrian Hoesch
Tyler Paige 		Men's 470 18 19 18 17 17 16 19 18 18 18 EL 159 18

M = Medal race; EL = Eliminated – did not advance into the medal race

Swimming[edit]

Scanlan and Masei at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre before their events
Main articles: Swimming at the 2020 Summer Olympics and Swimming at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Qualification

American Samoa received a universality invitation from FINA to send two top-ranked swimmers (one per gender) in their respective individual events to the Olympics, based on the FINA Points System of June 28, 2021.[23] The nation sent swimmers Micah Masei and Tilali Scanlan, who competed in the men's 100 metre breaststroke and women's 100 metre breaststroke, respectively.[24] Before the Games, Scanlan was stranded in Fiji after flights were shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[25] The swimmers were the first American Samoan athletes to compete at these Games.[26]

Masei competed in his event on July 24, 2024, in the first heat against Muhammad Isa Ahmad of Brunei and Amini Fonua of Tonga.[27] He swam a time of 1:04.93, just shy of his personal best of 1:04.81, finishing first in his heat but not having a fast enough time to advance to the semifinals.[28] The following day, Scanlan competed in her event in the second heat against swimmers Andrea Podmanikova of Slovakia, Phee Jinq En of Malaysia, Ema Rajić of Croatia, Emily Santos of Panama, Kirsten Fisher-Marsters of the Cook Islands, Alicia Kok Shun of Mauritius, and Claudia Verdino of Monaco. She finished third in her heat with a time of 1:10.01, setting a new personal best[28] and national record,[29] but did not advance to the semifinals.[30]

Athlete Event Heat Semifinal Final
Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank
Micah Masei Men's 100 m breaststroke 1:04.93 46 Did not advance
Tilali Scanlan Women's 100 m breaststroke 1:10.01 NR 32 Did not advance

Weightlifting[edit]

The Tokyo International Forum, where Jungblut competed in his event
Main articles: Weightlifting at the 2020 Summer Olympics and Weightlifting at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Qualification

American Samoa received one tripartite invitation quota from the International Weightlifting Federation, picking Tanumafili Jungblut, who would compete in the men's 109 kg category.[31] Jungblut is a returning Olympian, first competing in the men's 94 kg category at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,[32] placing without a rank after failing to complete three snatches.[33]

Jungblut competed in his event on August 3, 2021, in the B Group.[34] He lifted 140 and 150 kilograms for his first and second attempts in the snatch, setting a new personal best from his former 146 kilograms best in the lift,[35] ultimately failing his last lift of 155 kilograms. He then clean and jerked 180 kilograms for his first attempt, failing his second and third attempts at 190 kilograms, ultimately finishing with a total of 330 kilograms.[36] He placed 13th out of 14 competitors, with the gold medal going to Akbar Djuraev of Uzbekistan, who set new Olympic records with 237 kilograms in the clean and jerk and 430 kilograms in the total.[37] After competing in his event, he announced his retirement from the sport, citing that he wants to focus on his marriage with his coach, Monica Afalava.[38]

Athlete Event Snatch Clean & Jerk Total Rank
Result Rank Result Rank
Tanumafili Jungblut Men's 109 kg 150 PB 14 180 13 330 13

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Japanese: 米領サモア, romanized: Bei-ryō Samoa[8]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Joint Statement from the International Olympic Committee and the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee". International Olympic Committee. March 24, 2020. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  2. ^ "American Samoa Overview". Olympedia. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  3. ^ "Six athletes to represent AS in Tokyo Olympics". Talanei. July 8, 2021. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Team American Samoa for Tokyo Olympics". Talanei. July 16, 2021. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  5. ^ "Team American Samoa - Profile". TOCOG. Archived from the original on July 26, 2021. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  6. ^ "American Samoa at the 2020 Summer Olympics". Olympedia. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Team American Samoa in the Olympic Parade". Talanei. July 23, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Tokyo 2020 Opening Ceremony Flag Bearers Marching Order" (PDF). NPR. July 23, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  9. ^ "Hassan and Warner among Tokyo 2020 Closing Ceremony flag bearers". World Athletics. August 8, 2021. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  10. ^ "Road to Olympic Games 2020". World Athletics. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  11. ^ "Skeleton Athlete Nathan Crumpton To Start For American Samoa At Tokyo Olympics". International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation. June 10, 2021. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  12. ^ "Crumpton tops Americans with 8th". Adirondack Daily Enterprise. February 20, 2016. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  13. ^ "He Became an Olympic Sensation, Without a Shirt and Without Competing". The New York Times. February 10, 2022. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  14. ^ Farrell, Brendan (June 5, 2021). "Parkite Nathan Crumpton brings his journey full circle by punching Olympic ticket". Park Record. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  15. ^ "Athletics Competition Schedule". International Olympic Committee. Archived from the original on April 16, 2021.
  16. ^ "100 metres, Men". Olympedia. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  17. ^ "Crumpton runs his personal best at Olympics men's 100 meter sprint". Samoa News. August 3, 2021. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  18. ^ "American Samoa in Sailing". Olympedia. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  19. ^ "Tokyo 2020 Olympic Qualification Sailing Events" (PDF). World Sailing. March 4, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  20. ^ "2020 Sail Melbourne International Overall Results - 470". Sailing Results. June 21, 2020. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  21. ^ "Men's 470 Entry List" (PDF). TOCOG. July 22, 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 31, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  22. ^ "2020 Summer Olympics Results - Sailing 470". ESPN. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  23. ^ "Tokyo Olympics Entry Lists Released, Swimming Begins July 24". Swimming World Magazine. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  24. ^ "2020 Summer Olympics Swimming Results Book" (PDF). TOCOG. August 1, 2021. pp. 83, 85. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 7, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  25. ^ Ewart, Richard (April 29, 2020). "American Samoa swimmer marooned in Fiji puts positive spin on her Olympic hopes". ABC Pacific. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  26. ^ "Team Amercan Samoa ready for the challenge — swimmers compete first". Samoa News. July 23, 2021.
  27. ^ "Men's 100 Breakstroke Heats Results" (PDF). TOCOG. July 24, 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 22, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  28. ^ a b Talanoa, Coco. "Tokyo 2020 - Our Pacific Islands athletes Round Up Day 4". The Coconet. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  29. ^ "Swimmer Tilali Scanlan gives it her best in Tokyo". Talanei. July 25, 2021. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  30. ^ "Women's 100 Breakstroke Heats Results" (PDF). TOCOG. July 25, 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 23, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  31. ^ "IWF Absolute Ranking List" (PDF). International Weightlifting Federation. June 25, 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 25, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  32. ^ "Tokyo 2020 Day 11: Pacific Athletes - Who to watch and when". Radio New Zealand. August 3, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  33. ^ "2016 Olympic Games Results". International Weightlifting Federation. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  34. ^ "Tokyo 2020 Weightlifting Competition Schedule". TOCOG. Archived from the original on September 20, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  35. ^ "American Samoa weightifter Tanumafili Malietoa Jungblut photo and caption". Samoa News. August 8, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  36. ^ "2020 Summer Olympics Weightlifting Results". International Weightlifting Federation. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  37. ^ "Weightlifting | Men's 109kg | Results" (PDF). TOCOG. August 3, 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 3, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  38. ^ "Tanu makes his final lift at Tokyo Olympics". Talanei. August 3, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
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