World Olympians Association speaks out on Trump travel bans

The World Olympians Association has expressed concern about the impact of US President Donald Trump’s travel ban.

The World Olympians Association expressed concern yesterday about the potential impact US President Donald Trump’s travel ban on visitors from some Muslim-majority nations could have on athletes and urged a quick resolution.

The WOA, which serves as the member organisation for the more than 120,000 Olympians worldwide, wants to ensure the right of athletes to compete is protected in the wake of Trump’s controversial immigration order.

“Like many across the world, the WOA is concerned about the impact of the executive order on immigration signed by President Trump,” WOA president Joel Bouzou said in a statement.

“We have concerns in relation to the impact this could have on certain athletes who may be restricted in their ability to train and compete in the US over the next three months.”

By executive order last week, Trump banned immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries — Iran, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen — and temporarily halted the entry of refugees.

The US Olympic Committee said it was told by Washington that Trump’s ban should not affect athletes travelling to the US for international events.

According to the USOC, the US government told them it would work to ensure athletes from all countries would have expedited access to the US for international competitions.

But the WOA wants a formal resolution. “We urge relevant US authorities to urgently ... ensure the right of athletes to compete and train in the US is properly protected,” Bouzou said.

Reuters