Olympians, Bad Bunny Advocate for a Better America

Sporting events showcase diversity and inclusion as path forward

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Two recent sporting events, the Super Bowl halftime show featuring Bad Bunny and the Winter Olympics, have highlighted the importance of embracing diversity and inclusion as part of the American identity. Bad Bunny's performance celebrated family, community, pride and love, while American Olympians with immigrant backgrounds have been celebrated for representing the country on the global stage.

Why it matters

These events challenge the divisive rhetoric and fear-mongering directed at people who are different, reminding us that America's strength comes from its diversity. Welcoming immigrants and celebrating their contributions is central to the nation's ideals and has been instrumental in providing opportunities for displaced individuals.

The details

Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show, which was the second most watched ever, featured messages of family, community, pride and love, delivered in Spanish. However, some conservative critics reacted with anger and calls for his deportation, despite him being a Puerto Rican American citizen. At the Winter Olympics, American athletes with immigrant backgrounds, such as figure skater Ilia Malinin and snowboarder Chloe Kim, have been celebrated for representing the country on the global stage.

  • The Super Bowl halftime show featuring Bad Bunny took place on February 12, 2026.
  • The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy began shortly before the Super Bowl.

The players

Bad Bunny

A Puerto Rican singer who is the top-selling artist in the world and recently won Grammy Awards. He performed the Super Bowl halftime show in 2026.

Ilia Malinin

An American figure skater and gold medal favorite at the 2026 Winter Olympics, whose parents are immigrants from Uzbekistan.

Chloe Kim

An American snowboarder who is a two-time gold medalist and is chasing a third gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Her parents are immigrants from South Korea.

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What they’re saying

“Consistent with the ideals of the Olympics — excellence, respect, and friendship — the U.S. has for many generations and in many ways met immigrants and refugees with a welcoming spirit.”

— Marissa Kiss, Assistant Director, Institute for Immigration Research at George Mason University (Bangor Daily News)

“This spirit has been instrumental in providing a sanctuary and opportunities to millions of displaced individuals. In return, most immigrants and refugees work hard, contribute and give back to their new communities. Some become naturalized citizens. A select, dedicated few even represent their new nation on a global stage as Olympians.”

— Jim Witte, Professor Emeritus of Sociology, George Mason University and Founding Director, Institute for Immigration Research (Bangor Daily News)

The takeaway

These events highlight that America's strength comes from embracing diversity and inclusion, not division and fear. Welcoming immigrants and celebrating their contributions is central to the nation's ideals and has been instrumental in providing opportunities and a sanctuary for displaced individuals, who in turn work hard, contribute, and even represent the country on the global stage as Olympians.