The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) received strong reassurances from the White House regarding visa support for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, USOPC Chair Gene Sykes said on Thursday. This follows concerns sparked by a leaked internal memo suggesting the Trump administration was considering sweeping travel restrictions affecting 41 countries—potentially complicating travel plans for thousands of athletes, coaches, and international visitors.
Sykes emphasized that top U.S. officials expressed a firm commitment to making LA28 a successful global event. “They understand what it means to host the Olympic Games,” Sykes stated, noting that the administration pledged full cooperation on managing visas for all qualified participants and their entourages.
USOPC leaders met with legislators and Trump administration officials last week to discuss broad issues affecting U.S. sports and Olympic planning. While the topic of transgender athlete visas was not specifically raised, Sykes confirmed that the administration provided “very broad” support on general visa matters. This omission comes amid controversy over Trump’s February executive order banning transgender girls and women from competing in women’s sports, a stance that conflicts with international Olympic norms.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) maintains a decentralized approach to transgender participation, allowing international federations to set their own eligibility criteria. Despite this, the USOPC remains focused on ensuring all qualified athletes receive proper access to compete at LA28.
Olympic organizers previously told Reuters they were confident the U.S. government would fulfill its commitment to facilitate the Games. With official backing reaffirmed, preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics continue to progress, ensuring global participation and adherence to international standards.