My dad told me that if you make it into the Olypics, you are put into the team of like your race/culture. So if like a Japanese American made it, would she be in Japan's team or US/Canada's?
Your father is incorrect. Athletes represent the country of their citizenship. Think of all the American Olympic athletes that come from families of different cultures. You must be an American citizen to represent the USA in the Olympics.
Some countries will allow athletes from other countries to represent them if they are from that race/culture. For example, the 2008 Italian Olympic baseball team had several Americans on their roster, because their families had come from Italy years ago (and it helped that they had Italian last names).
Other countries will allow almost anybody to represent them if that athlete is better than anyone they have in a particular event.
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
Your father is incorrect. Athletes represent the country of their citizenship. Think of all the American Olympic athletes that come from families of different cultures. You must be an American citizen to represent the USA in the Olympics.
Some countries will allow athletes from other countries to represent them if they are from that race/culture. For example, the 2008 Italian Olympic baseball team had several Americans on their roster, because their families had come from Italy years ago (and it helped that they had Italian last names).
Other countries will allow almost anybody to represent them if that athlete is better than anyone they have in a particular event.
It's citizenship, not race or culture.
If an American person of japanese ancestry made the Olympics, they'd be on Team USA.