(ATR) NPR reporters Greg Allen and Marisa Penaloza believe Puerto Rico's reign as an "independent entity" at the Olympic Games may be the only thing that sets them apart from the U.S.
"This [the Olympics] is the only arena we feel like an independent nation," Puerto Rico's governor Ricardo Rosello states in an interview with NPR.
Nearly a century ago Puerto Rico was named a U.S. territory but remains able to compete under its own flag at the Olympics. Puerto Rico is a member of the International Olympic Committee and considered its own nation for purposes of Olympic law, according to the IOC.
Puerto Rico has set up an Olympic training center - Albergue Olímpico - in the city of Salinas where future athletes can prepare for the next Games. The sports facility boards youth grades seven through 12. During their stay they have the opportunity to obtain scholarships placing them on the Olympic team.
In an interview with NPR, one of the athletes participating in the Salinas training camp Paola Santiago saysit would be an honor for her to represent Puerto Rico and she would prefer to compete under her home flag.
"I wouldn't feel that happy," she says, "because I feel like I feel more comfortable being here and represent Puerto Rico, I don't live there [the U.S.] , I don't do anything there."
Just last year at the Rio Games, tennis athleteMónica Puig won Puerto Rico's first Olympic gold medal. The commonwealth has competed in 18 consecutive summer Olympics.
NPR states the win sent the territory in an "explosion of pride" whose passion was shown by everyone on the island including politicians.
"Puerto Ricans value the sovereignty that we have in terms of sport," Puerto Rico's House of Representatives member Manuel Natal tells NPR.
"It's something that's part of our national identity."
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Compiled by Courtney Colquitt
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