SOURCE: http://www.nbcolympics.com/athletes/athlete=1444/bio/index.html  Born:	February 03, 1983 Atlanta, GA
Hometown:	Atlanta, GA
Residence:	Irving, CA
Ht: / Wt:	5'11" / 152 lbs
Event(s):	Men's singles

How he made it
Raju Rai is one of many who were able to take advantage of the Olympics' new qualifying policy. Ranked 68th in the world on May 1, 2008, Rai may have not been given the chance to participate in the Olympics during other years. But this year's qualification limited the number of representatives per National Olympic Committee when outside of the top-16. So, the draw of 48 names extended all the way to No. 86 Nabil Lasmari of Algeria. Rai was the fifth from last qualifier for the Games and will be the only American in the men's singles draw.

A vision of the future
Rai, currently studying biology at Santiago Canyon College, told The Orange County Register back in 2005 that if he were to make the Olympic Games -- which he has -- then, "I'll be satisfied with my career. Once you're there, anything can happen." Following the Games, Rai plans to turn to studying to become an optometrist.

Still a team
For the longest time, Rai and Bob Malaythong were doubles partners. Since they were 10 years old, in fact, they have looked to one another for guidance. While they won't be on the same court in Beijing, they will still be teammates, as Malaythong has qualified in doubles with Howard Bach. Malaythong certainly will be honored to have Bach, a former world champion, as a partner, but seeing Rai there for support may be the best thing for Malaythong and the U.S. squad. "(Rai) is everybody's best friend," Malaythong told The Orange County Register. "He's someone you can go to. You can talk to him about anything."

IS HE ORIGINALLY FROM NEPAL?????

He doesn't look like Nepali Rai, he looks more like an Indian Rai to me. Probably a relative of Aishwarya Rai.

:)

Yah he doesn't look like Nepali Rai..... R U sure he's Nepali????

When I first heard my friends going gaga over Aishwarya Rai, i thought she was from Dharan, Nepal or from the surrounding area. Turned out later, she is a blue-eyed and olive-skinned new Indian modeling sensation.

He must be of Indian heritage.

indian for sure

???

Whats wrong with the people who are making comments without reading the posting thoroughly.

He is from Algeria !!!

Can you point me to the place, where it says that he is from Algeria?

Rajiv "Raju" Kumar Rai is the sone of Nachi and Sandra Rai...He has one brother, Sanju Rai...In 2006 Rai participated in a Badminton World Federation training program in Germany, but suffered a knee injury in the fall of 2006 that forced him to return to the United States to have it surgically repaired in springs of 2007...Looks to be returning to top form following rehabilitation of his knee...Is attending Santiago Canyon College where he is studying Biology...Hopes to one day become an optometrist...Graduated from William Jefferson Palmer High School in Colorado Springs, Colo. in 2001...Trains at the Orange County Badminton Club in Orange, Calif...Also works as a coach at the Orange County Badminton Club...Lists his hobbies and interests as playing other sports, training, watching television, going to the movies, shopping and chilling with his friends...Says that his parents and his brother are the people that have had the greatest impact on his life.

http://badminton.teamusa.org/athlete/athlete/323

He is no Algerian, no Nepali or Nepali origin. He is an Indian-American according to following website. Problem solved.

Indian-American  RAj BHAVSAR & RAJU RAI
Bound for BEIING OLYMPICS 2008
As Members of Olympics Team

website: http://www.samrao.com/BhavsarRaiOlympics2008.html