Olympian Kelsey Nakanelua's Journey: From Laie to the World Stage

As the world eagerly awaits the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, a former Olympian from Laie, Hawaii, is reflecting on his remarkable journey to the grandest stage in sports. Kelsey Nakanelua, a two-time Olympian representing American Samoa, shares his experiences and insights, offering a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs of being an Olympian from the Aloha State.

Chasing the Olympic Dream: Kelsey Nakanelua's Remarkable Journey

Representing American Samoa on the World Stage

Kelsey Nakanelua's Olympic journey began in the early 2000s when he represented American Samoa in the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games. As a Hawaii high school state champion and six-time Hawaii's fastest man, Nakanelua had the opportunity to don the colors of American Samoa and compete against the world's best athletes. "It was a quite an incredible experience," Nakanelua reminisced. "In the Parade of Nations, we all get into a big stadium, and we wait until they call your country, and then you go and walk with your country. That was always incredible."

The Challenges of Being an Olympian from Hawaii

Despite not medaling in either the 2000 or 2004 Olympics, Nakanelua took great pride in being one of the few Olympians that calls Hawaii home. "Being from Hawaii, people understanding that they actually thought it almost was their own country, and I had to explain to them the situation," he said. "People are always intrigued because you're from Hawaii." Navigating the cultural differences and perceptions of his home state was just one of the many challenges Nakanelua faced as an Olympian.

Balancing Olympic Dreams and a Military Career

As Nakanelua prepared for the 2004 Olympics, he had already started thinking about life after his athletic career. In a bold move, he joined the Navy in 2003, just a year before the Games. "I actually joined the Navy in '03 and then I went to the Games and then I went to boot camp after when I came back from the '04 Games," he explained. "So, yeah, I joined the military, I served 20 years and so now I'm a retired naval officer." Balancing the demands of the Olympics and a military career was no easy feat, but Nakanelua's determination and discipline allowed him to excel in both realms.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Hawaii Sprinters

Now out of the military, Nakanelua remains closely connected to the state's track and field scene, coaching high school runners. He is hopeful that future Olympic Games will feature more Hawaii sprinters, but he acknowledges that there is still room for improvement. "I think it's probably going to take two or three years more, maybe by the next Olympics, Hawaii will have what I consider some credible times," Nakanelua said. "There is some room for improvement, I think not for lack of effort by the athletes, but I think that the knowledge base has to be passed down."Kelsey Nakanelua's story is a testament to the power of perseverance, dedication, and the ability to overcome challenges. As the world prepares for the 2024 Olympics, his journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes from Hawaii and beyond, proving that with hard work and determination, the Olympic dream can become a reality.