BEIJING, June 11 — International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry said Wednesday that the IOC is closely monitoring challenges faced during the FIFA World Cup and is confident the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics can avoid similar problems.
Coventry made the remarks during an online press conference after Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the United States ahead of the World Cup, which begins Thursday in Mexico. Artan was reportedly questioned for 11 hours at Miami International Airport before being refused admission, raising concerns about potential travel and visa issues for participants at the Los Angeles Games. “We are following everything that’s happening daily. I am confident that in two years, we will be able to overcome a number of the challenges that the World Cup are facing right now,” Coventry said. “But I think that also takes collaboration and learning.” She said a dedicated U.S. task force has been established for the Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games and that the IOC is regularly sharing feedback from stakeholders. “We can only continue to work very closely with the OCOG (organizing committee), with the USOPC at this moment to continuously give our feedback and to be able to advocate for athletes and ensure that they are there in the LA28 Games,” she said.
IOC Sports Director Pierre Ducrey, who recently visited Los Angeles, said organizers have assigned staff specifically to address entry and accreditation issues and have opened an office in Washington. “There is a strong relationship they are building with the authorities, with the right agencies that will have to be involved in this process,” Ducrey said. He added that organizers are working to educate relevant agencies about the different groups expected to attend the Games. “Much of the work is explaining who is going to be coming, the profile of the people, the role they have to play so that we can also spend a lot of time educating the agencies,” he said.
Coventry also reiterated her opposition to Olympic prize money. “It’s nothing new that I don’t agree with prize money at the Olympic Games,” she said. While welcoming efforts by international federations to increase prize money at their own events, Coventry said the Olympics have “a broader responsibility” to support all participating athletes rather than rewarding only medal winners. She said the IOC is working to expand Olympic Solidarity scholarships and develop new funding initiatives for athletes. “We have a number of really cool, exciting commitments that you’re all going to get to see on the 24th,” Coventry said. The IOC Executive Board met remotely on Wednesday ahead of the 146th IOC Session, scheduled for June 24-25.
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