As every top-level athlete knows, sacrifice underpins every training plan and for an Olympic athlete it becomes a way of life. For Sohn Jeong Wook, his goal of taking part in the Olympics was more important than country, but it didn't override family.

For Sohn, family has always been more important than nationalism. A polyglot born in South Korea, raised in South America, and a naturalized Japanese, he sees the world as more alike than different.

"Everywhere in the world, anywhere you have 10 people, I can say at least two people will not be thinking the same way as me — but still, eight people will be with me. It doesn't matter the country or the color or the language — my father always taught me, 'See with your own eyes, and then decide.' " Sohn uses those eyes every day to see and interpret the world for Fuji TV, working as a translator for its international news program.