Donald Trump's temporary immigration policy could implicate America's bid for the 2024 Olympic games to be staged in Los Angeles.
Trump's new regulation aims to restrict access into America, for citizens from several Middle Eastern and African countries and could even affect those who hold dual nationality status. Part of the ban was blocked by an American court but that only affects those who have landed in the US with valid visas.
Great Britain's Mo Farah, whose home nation Somalia is one of the countries listed in the immigration order, issued a statement today, criticising Trump for making him feel like 'an alien.'
LA, along with Paris and Budapest are the remaining cities vying to host the 2024 Olympics. Members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will make the decision in September at an IOC Session in Lima, Peru.
The mayor of LA, Eric Garcetti, has defiantly spoken out against Trump's immigration stance and says the city will continue to accommodate those seeking refuge.
"Los Angeles will always be a place of refuge, where the most vulnerable people fleeing war, or religious or political oppression, can find a safe and welcoming home."
"Congress outlawed the banning of immigrants by nationality more than 50 years ago, because we have long known that it does not make us safer. It only fans the flames of hatred that those who wish us harm seek to spread."
Richard Peterkin, a member of the IOC who will be voting on where to stage the 2024 Olympics, posted a series of Tweets condemning Trump, and could imply that LA may lose out in the bidding as a result of their President's actions.
Trump's Executive Order on immigration is totally contrary to Olympic ideals. For him, collective responsibility trumps individual justice
— Richard Peterkin (@rncpeterkin) January 28, 2017
In 2003 US changed policy on intransit visas in middle of PanAm Games. Affected thousands of athletes in Santo Domingo. USOC helped overcome
— Richard Peterkin (@rncpeterkin) January 28, 2017
So happy to read about all the real Americans reaching out to help individuals affected by this Executive order. Dreams crushed
— Richard Peterkin (@rncpeterkin) January 28, 2017
The United States freestyle wrestling team is scheduled to participate in a World Cup competition in Iran next month but reports suggest that Iran could prevent American citizens entering the country, in retaliation to Trump's order.
The president of Iran's wrestling federation is expected to meet with government officials there in an attempt to ensure that the American athletes will still be invited to the competition.
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