Puerto Rico’s territory status allows for self-representation – statehood would just make them another state under the US

Puerto Rico currently participates in the Olympic Games as an independent nation. Other competitions, such as the Miss Universe Pageant, give the island a similar status. If the U.S. were to convert this territory into a state, then all of its competitors would be forced to compete under the Stars and Stripes instead of their own flag. There are Puerto Ricans who have medaled for the U.S. in the Olympics in the past, but statehood would remove the choice of self-representation for good.