Olympics
Olympic-sized visa problem looms over LA28
BY ALEX OLLER.
With sports diplomacy at the core of the issue, some question whether Donald Trump’s recent immigration and transgender policies might end up costing the United States millions of dollars and even more in reputation as the country ploughs ahead in the organisation of the next Summer Games.
The recently-elected North American leader first threatened years ago to build a wall on the southern border with Mexico and partially succeeded in his first term. In the leadup to his second mandate, he promised mass deportations of illegal migrants and has started carrying them out at a record pace since taking office in January. At 78 years old, Trump seems as proactive as ever and just doubled down on what he calls “the defence of women’s sport” by issuing a warning that he would not allow transgender athletes to compete in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
With most in the Republican party abhorring the notion that gender could be defined by something other than males and females, the matter is front and centre when it comes to sporting competition, and the US president is making sure his newest eligibility guidelines are pushed through, as made evident last week when he unilaterally decided to exclude transgender girls and women from female sports and urged the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to “change everything to do with the Olympics and this absolutely ridiculous subject”.
While the United States claims to be “the land of the free and the home of the brave” in its national anthem, restrictions and subsequent fear are spreading like wildfire on many fronts of late. Getting into the country has historically been quite the ordeal for the many migrants that today strengthen the backbone of the world superpower, and Trump’s re-election after being ousted from office four years ago will most definitely not make it any easier, quite the contrary. Yet one problem, setting aside moral and humanitarian concerns, could very well be one Republicans understand quite well: Money.
As the country gears up for the celebration of seven big-time events in the next 10 years, including the FIFA 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics, the fear among organisers and sporting bodies alike is that even stricter immigration policies end up resulting in the worst-case scenario of both fans and athletes being left at the gate, with the ensuing and considerable revenue loss if the situation escalates; not to mention a major hit to the nation’s democratic reputation.
“The Trump administration didn’t prioritize visa processing in its first term. It really slowed it down, removing requirements to process visas quickly. So I can’t imagine that there’s going to be some full-court press to get these visas processed in a short amount of time,” David J. Bier, Associate Director for Immigration Studies at the Cato Institute told The Los Angeles Times last month. “It’s going to be a massive problem. There’s no one paying attention to this at all.”
The fact is that, despite FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s desire to stage “the most inclusive World Cup ever” in about a year and a half, the US remains a tough sell when it comes to open-arms policies as Trump’s ‘Make America Great Again’ (MAGA) slogan solidifies itself through a revamped administration that is dealing with major upheaval since he was sworn in for his second go-round. North of six million visitors are expected to attend the tournament by early calculations, and a Los Angeles-sized bureaucratic gridlock could very well jeopardise the event’s financial turnout, setting a terrible precedent that looms large over the Summer Games’ still positive current outlook, despite the many setbacks.
The tragic California fires hit hard as the host city pushes to overcome the destruction and keep the Olympic spirit alive, but the multicultural fabric of Angelinos remains mostly intact for now, even as the new anti-immigration policies are resulting in traumatic raids and sped-up deportations, especially within the Latino communities.
About a quarter of the close to two million applicants for visas were denied entry in 2023 under the previous Joe Biden administration, and the crackdown by the re-energised MAGA movement foresees an even sharper whip regarding the refusal of migrants or even tourists; and now it seems, also transgenders as the Department of Homeland Security will be able to “review and adjust, as needed, policies permitting admission to the United States of males seeking to participate in women’s sports.”
While transgender participation has rarely been an issue in Olympic history after such athletes were allowed to compete for the first time about two decades ago, the far-more-complex topic of gender eligibility remains a hot-button, unresolved topic that blew up in Paris 2024 with the boxing tournament’s gender row. As blowback mounted regarding the inclusion of allegedly suspect female fighters Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting, who had previously been barred from competing in the International Boxing Association championships for failing their eligibility guidelines, critics often mistakenly lumped both into the “transgender” category; a misconception that the IOC was quick to point out. Even their characterization as Differences in Sexual Development (DSD) athletes remains flawed, as no such evidence has been provided to date.
Regardless, Trump has marched on with his so-called “defence of the women’s category”, fully backed (or led) by new best friend and fellow mogul Elon Musk, who is also spearheading widespread cutbacks on federal funding in an advisory role. That tendency would most definitely take its toll on an already bare-bones system that features long wait periods for the processing of all kinds of visas, which could very well discourage many supporters from attending both the FIFA World Cup and ensuing sporting events.
“I am deeply concerned that there does not seem to be an appetite for making sure that the State Department is funded and prepared and focused on this issue,” California Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove recently told the press. “It is untenable that we would not surge resources to make sure that we have the right folks in the right places. They need to facilitate these interviews and get these visas to those who are trying to enter our country for legitimate reasons. It will be unacceptable that we allow our country to fail at putting our best foot forward for the World Cup.”
Even as Musk and other newly-appointed government officials axe away at the federal budget, Trump has showcased his closeness with Infantino in the buildup to the football -or ‘soccer’- extravaganza while he patiently awaits for the IOC to elect a new leader to succeed German Thomas Bach in its March presidential election. The American has avoided pronouncing his preferred candidate among the seven finalists for now, yet it appears logical that Briton Sebastian Coe would emerge as his top choice, with the current boss of World Athletics having displayed the harshest hand on the gender debate so far, effectively banning DSD athletes from track & field competitions.
While none of the presidential hopefuls are proposing a veto on transgender participation at the Olympics as of now and the IOC has publicly insisted that it intends to operate without political interference, an unnamed US official recently warned reporters that “if you are coming into the country and you are claiming that you are a woman, but you are a male here to compete against women, we’re going to be reviewing that for fraud.”
Even if the anti-migrant, zero tolerance on transgenders rhetoric undeniably resonates with the MAGA fanbase, the greater Los Angeles area is still hoping to rake in around $600 million (€580 million) from around 180,000 expected World Cup visitors, according to a report by Micronomics Economic Research and Consulting, with calculations reaching the $3.75 billion (€3.63 bn) mark on a national level.
As for the US State Department, it recently issued a statement stressing that it is “committed to protecting our nation and its citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process.”
-Inside the Games
Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed that the “defective medals” from the 2024 Paris Olympic Games will be replaced in the coming weeks as more than 100 athletes have signalled the deterioration of their awards.
“The Paris 2024 Olympic Games Organising Committee is working closely with the Monnaie de Paris, the institution responsible for the manufacture and quality control of the medals, to assess any complaints about the medals and to understand the circumstances and cause of any damage,” the IOC said.
“Defective medals will be systematically replaced by the Monnaie de Paris and engraved identically.
“The replacement process should begin in the coming weeks.”
A spokesperson for the Monnaie de Paris refuted the term “defective” and said that the medals signalled by athletes as being “damaged” since August have already been replaced.
“We have replaced all the damaged medals since August and we will continue to do so in the same professional manner as before,” said the spokesperson, adding that replacements were “underway” and were being made “as requests come in”.
More than 100 defective medals
According to French online media outlet La Lettre, “more than 100 defective medals have been returned by disgruntled athletes”, who have seen their awards deteriorate.
Some Olympians from the Paris Games took to social media to share photos of their medals.
One such athlete was American skateboarder Nyjah Huston, who won bronze in the street skateboarding competition on 29 July.
Ten days later he posted a picture of his medal, where he complained about its quality.
“These Olympic medals look great when they’re brand new, but after letting it sit on my skin with some sweat for a little bit and then letting my friends wear it over the weekend, they’re not as high quality as you would think,” he said.
“It’s looking rough. Even the front. It’s starting to chip off a little.”
According to La Lettre, the medals “had to bear the brunt of the new products used”, as new regulations banned a component of the varnish previously employed and “had to be replaced at short notice”.
The 5,084 gold, silver and bronze medals for Paris 2024 were designed by luxury jewellery and watch firm Chaumet and produced by the Monnaie de Paris.
Each medal contains a small piece of the Eiffel Tower, taken from the stocks of the Parisian monument’s operating company.
-RFI/ AFP
Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
The devastating California wildfires are both destroying neighbourhoods and raising alarm bells for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics Organising Committee.
With the Riviera Country Club and Sepulveda Basin under threat, the challenges of ensuring the Games’ safety are becoming increasingly apparent.
Los Angeles, one of the United States’ most iconic cultural and sporting hubs, is enduring what can only be described as a living nightmare.
Since Tuesday, 7 January, a massive wildfire has ravaged the region, destroying homes, landmarks, and now, alarmingly, some of the facilities planned for the 2028 Olympic Games.
Worse still, the death toll from California’s fires has risen to 11, with over 35,000 hectares reduced to ash.
With six active firefronts, the destruction has spread citywide. Local authorities report mass evacuations, with critical structures under threat. Yet, amid the immediate chaos, there lies a longer-term concern—one that mobilised multiple agencies: the fate of LA 2028.
The Games, intended to leave a lasting legacy, are now facing a very literal trial by fire
Among the most affected areas is the prestigious Riviera Country Club, slated to host the Olympic golf tournament.
Initially, outside the evacuation zones, the rapid spread of the Palisades fire, driven by winds reaching 100 mph (160 km/h), placed the club squarely within the danger zone.
Flames now encircle the area, which also borders natural landmarks like Topanga State Park, itself under threat.
Another critical site is the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area, set to host archery, BMX, and skateboarding events.
While local firefighters reported no structural damage or injuries so far, the situation remains volatile, with conditions that could change in an instant.
The risk is not confined to these venues. The historic Rose Bowl Stadium, scheduled to host football matches during the Games, is also within an evacuation protocol zone in Pasadena.
Beyond the Olympic venues, the environmental crisis deeply impacted athletes and professional teams across various leagues.
Many affected areas are home to current and former athletes, including ex-Olympic swimmer Gary Hall Jr., who lost his house and 10 Olympic medals in the Palisades fire.
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard returned to Los Angeles to support his family following their evacuation.
Meanwhile, Warriors coach Steve Kerr lost his childhood home, though his mother was rescued in time.
Both the NBA and NFL issued statements of solidarity with those affected.
Coaches like Lakers’ JJ Redick have seen their homes consumed by flames, highlighting that the sport, despite its global prominence, is not immune to the tragedies that devastate its surrounding communities.
For its part, the NFL decided to relocate the ‘wild card’ game between the Vikings and the Rams from Inglewood to Glendale, Arizona, due to the uncontrolled flames.
The Rams, who had to halt their training sessions after new flare-ups in West Hills, were unable to resume practice. This isn’t the first time wildfires disrupted the league.
Back in 2003, the Chargers were also forced to move a game to Arizona under similar circumstances.
“The entire NBA and NBPA family extends its thoughts and support to the Los Angeles community during these challenging times.
“We are grateful for the thousands of local firefighters and first responders who have shown incredible bravery.
“Our prayers remain with those affected by the unimaginable devastation caused by the fires,” expressed on Thursday by the NBA regarding support for the victims.
The Los Angeles 2028 Organising Committee also addressed the situation on social media, expressing gratitude to firefighters, volunteers, and other groups committed to recovery efforts.
They’ve shared resources to assist those in need, including the American Red Cross Los Angeles, the LAFD Foundation, the California Firefighters Foundation, and Airbnb’s Emergency Housing Assistance for those displaced by the fires.
Nevertheless, the disaster raises deeper questions. With just over three years until the Olympic torch lights up the city, doubts linger.
Can LA 2028 ensure the safety of its venues in a region increasingly vulnerable to wildfires? How will this catastrophe influence the event’s planning and global perception?
As the flames continue to consume hectares across Los Angeles, the road to the 2028 Olympic Games faces an unprecedented challenge.
But if there’s one thing this city is known for, it’s its ability to rise from the ashes—a spirit the organisers hope to channel into an event destined to be unforgettable.
-Inside The GamesFollow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Multiple Olympic champion Gary Hall Jr., lost both his medals and his home to the California wildfires on Thursday which he described as “worse than any apocalypse movie you’ve ever seen.” Shocked but reflective, he remarked on what truly matters: “What can you do? They’re just things.”
The devastating wildfires, which have ravaged Southern California destroying homes, structures, and lives, began on 7 January and intensified on the 9th with new outbreaks in Woodland Hills and the Angeles National Forest.
They have scorched more than 35,000 acres, leaving a tragic toll of 10 fatalities, over 5,000 structures destroyed, and thousands of residents displaced.
Strong winds and dry conditions have complicated containment efforts, forcing authorities to issue widespread evacuation orders across the Los Angeles region.
Hall Jr., renowned for his illustrious career in Olympic swimming, was at home when he saw the flames racing towards his property. In an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, the veteran athlete recounted the moment he realised the danger: “I saw a plume of smoke rising from my backyard. Within minutes, the flames were there. I had no time.”
He ultimately lost his home along with his 10 treasured Olympic medals in the blaze that swept through Pacific Palisades this second week of January.
“I had no time.” Hall described the chaos as he spoke with his daughter on the phone.
Houses were exploding, the sounds of blasts were constant, and traffic on Sunset Boulevard became impassable, with people abandoning their cars and running for their lives. In that instant, Hall managed to save only the essentials: his dog and a few personal items.
Among the most notable losses were his 10 Olympic medals, including five golds, three silvers, and two bronzes, earned during his appearances at the Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, and Athens 2004 Games.
“I thought about the medals but I had no time to grab them,” Hall explained. “Everyone asks if the medals were burned. Yes, everything burned. But they’re just things. I can live without them.”
-Insidethegames
Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- Other Sports4 days ago
Lord’s Taverners donate sports kits to CSED Initiative
- Nigerian Football5 days ago
Nigeria football chieftains, Gusau, Elegbeleye go back to the classroom
- Governing Bodies5 days ago
BREAKING! FIFA’s axe falls on Congo
- Nigerian Football3 days ago
Remo Stars continue perfect run with their fourth double of the season
- DIPLOMACY6 days ago
Guatemalan Deputy FM hails Morocco’s plans for Western Sahara
- TRANSFER MARKET1 week ago
Man Utd sign two and lose 10 players as disastrous window for Ruben Amorim slams shut
- World Cup2 days ago
Rwanda, Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier’s next opponents install VAR, Spider Cameras at stadium
- UEFA Champions League18 hours ago
Guardiola Challenges Man City to ‘Special Night’ against Madrid in Champions League