Story perspectives

Concerns Rise Over U.S. Visa Access for LA 2028

2/4/2026

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Summary

Story summary

African Olympic officials expressed concerns about the U.S. visa program for the 2028 Los Angeles Games during a meeting with International Olympic Committee (IOC) leaders.
Ethiopian IOC member Dagmawit Girmay Berhane highlighted issues regarding equal access to visas, citing U.S. travel restrictions affecting many countries.
Gene Sykes, president of the U.S. Olympic body, noted that the upcoming World Cup would serve as a test for visa processing systems.
Sykes also considered appointing a visa ambassador, similar to the one for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
LA 2028 chairman Casey Wasserman emphasized the Olympics' potential to unify the world amid ongoing global conflicts.

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Story summary

African Olympic officials expressed concerns about the U.S. visa program for the 2028 Los Angeles Games during a meeting with International Olympic Committee (IOC) leaders.
Ethiopian IOC member Dagmawit Girmay Berhane highlighted issues regarding equal access to visas, citing U.S. travel restrictions affecting many countries.
Gene Sykes, president of the U.S. Olympic body, noted that the upcoming World Cup would serve as a test for visa processing systems.
Sykes also considered appointing a visa ambassador, similar to the one for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
LA 2028 chairman Casey Wasserman emphasized the Olympics' potential to unify the world amid ongoing global conflicts.