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Transcript/ScriptTV Kai Owens Profile
HEADLINE: China-born Kai Owens is Team USA’s Rising Ski Star
PUBLISHED AT: 02/03/2022 at 2pm
BYLINE: Adrianna Zhang
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Washington
VIDEOGRAPHER
VIDEO EDITOR: Songlin Zhang
SCRIPT EDITORS: KE(1st), BR
PRODUCER:
VIDEO SOURCE (S): Agencies TBD
PLATFORMS: TV only
TRT: 2:21
VID APPROVED BY:KE
TYPE: TVPKG
UPDATE: ))
EDITOR NOTES: ))
((INTRO))
[[Born in China, and adopted by American parents, 17-year-old moguls skier Kai Owens is returning to Beijing to compete for Team USA in the 2022 Winter Olympics where she hopes to win a gold medal in freestyle skiing. VOA’s Adrianna Zhang introduces us to the China-born Olympic skiing phenom.]]
((NARRATION))
Orphaned shortly after she was born in China’s Anhui Province, American moguls skier Kai Owens was adopted by a couple from Colorado when she was 16 months old.
((Kai Owens, Team USA Moguls Skier))
“I'm extremely lucky to be adopted by my parents that I have now, and that they love skiing. Who knows if I wasn't adopted what I'd be…I probably would never have made it to the U.S.. I would probably be… hopefully a normal Chinese citizen. Or if I was adopted by anyone other than my parents, then I could have a whole different life. So that's crazy.”
((NARRATION))
Growing up in Vail, Colorado, Owens developed a talent for skiing from an early age. The 17-year-old is now ranked number nine in the World Cup moguls ranking by the International Ski Federation.
((Kai Owens, Team USA Moguls Skier))
“I just love mogul skiing and love the training, and I enjoy the process of becoming a professional athlete. I enjoy a ton of my career. So, I think that has a lot to do with it. And..I'd say work ethic, I like to work hard and get better every day.”
((NARRATION))
Her parents are her biggest supporters.
((Kai Owens, Team USA Moguls Skier))
“They have just supported my passions: competitive moguls skiing. It’s always been self-driven. I'm a competitive person and I love competing in moguls. So they've always supported me.”
((NARRATION))
Her inclusion in Team USA draws parallels to skier Eileen Gu. Born in California to an American father and Chinese mother, Gu has decided to compete for China because of her heritage. Owens made a different decision.
((Kai Owens, Team USA Moguls Skier))
“I'm very proud to represent the United States because I was raised here, and I consider this is my home…I think being able to compete for the Olympics is just such an incredible accomplishment. I think if you're proud of the country you're representing, then that's all that matters.”
Adrianna Zhang, VOA News, Washington
NewsML Media TopicsSport, Arts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
Topic TagsChina-born Kai Owens is Team USA’s Rising Ski Star
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateFebruary 3, 2022 16:20 EST
BylineAdrianna Zhang
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
