USOPC Chair Gene Sykes said that the organization has received “significant reassurances” from the White House on visas for the 2028 L.A. Games weeks after an internal memo showed that the Trump administration was “weighing sweeping travel restrictions,” according to Amy Tennery of REUTERS. The memo last month listed 41 countries that could be “subject to partial or full visa suspensions, potentially complicating the effort to host the Games.” Sykes said, “It’s very clear that, from the very top of the administration, they want this to be an incredibly successful experience for all Americans and all of the athletes and visitors who come from frankly every country in the world.” Tennery noted one topic “not raised” was the issue of visas for qualified transgender athletes, after President Donald Trump said that he “would not allow transgender competitors in the LA28 Games.” The IOC has “long refused to apply any universal rule on transgender participation for the Games,” instructing international federations in 2021 to “come up with their own guidelines” (REUTERS, 4/17).
USOPC reassured by White House on visas for LA28
