(ATR) U.S. President Barack Obama paid a visit to 350 young leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Laos.
There Obama encouraged the audience- some of whose countries suffer from ethnic tensions -to embrace diverse societies and shared his belief that diversity was the link to the U.S.'s Olympic success.
"Because we have people who came from everywhere, we have people of all different types for every sport, so we have really tall people to play basketball or to swim, we have little people for gymnastics," Obama said in a statement.
The U.S. President also cites genetics as being a contributing factor to the 46 gold medals won in Rio by Team USA.
"We have genetically, for whatever sport, we have people who fit the sport" he adds.
Later this month Obama is expected to welcome the U.S. Olympic team to the White House for the last time before he leaves office in January.
Claims Made by Japanese Prime Minister Under Scrutiny
In Japan, trouble ensues as controversial comments are released concerning the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
According to the Lebanon Daily Star the premise in which Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe convinced the International Olympic Committee to hold the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo was a lie.
Former premier Junichiro Koizumi stated that the Fukushima nuclear plant - which was the main cause of concern for the Tokyo 2020 bid -was not under control as the Prime Minister previously claimed.
"Mr. Abe's 'under control' remark, that was a lie," Koizumi states.
"I studied the process, reality and history of the introduction of nuclear power and became ashamed of myself for believing such lies" he adds.
Abe reassured that the plant was safe during a speech to the IOC in 2013 when concerns arose about awarding the games to Tokyo.
Japan's nuclear plants supply 30 percent of the country’s electricity but most were closed after an incident in 2011 where a earthquake and tsunami caused the Fukushima plant to have a meltdown releasing radiation and contaminating food and water.
The incident was namedthe worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl in 1986 causing 160,000 people to evacuate.
Asian Beach Games Approaching
The fifth annual Asian Beach Games will be taking place along the coast of Vietnam in the city of Danang beginning Sep. 24.
"It has a reputation as a peaceful and dynamic destination for tourists from Vietnam and overseas alike, and the people are ready to do their best to make the 5th Asian Beach Games a great success for Danang and for Vietnam," Deputy Chairman of Danang City People’s Committee Dang Viet Dung said in a statement.
A total of 45 nations will be participating in over 20 sports including ju-jitsu, bodybuilding and aquatics in 172 events at the four venue clusters along the city’s bay.
Organizers are expecting 5,000 athletes and officials from the Olympic Council of Asia's 45 National Olympic Committees to attend.
More than 1,500 volunteers have been recruited to ensure the games will run smoothly.
The Asian Beach Games will begin on Sep.24 and conclude on Oct.3.
Written by Courtney Colquitt
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