LA 2028 working to avoid repeat of World Cup visa issues in US: IOC chief

Los Angeles 2028 organizers are working closely with U.S. authorities to avoid repeating visa-related entry issues that have already affected stakeholders at the FIFA World Cup, which begins this week. IOC president Kirsty Coventry stated that the effort involves educating government agencies about the roles and profiles of attendees to ensure smooth access for the 2028 Games. Dedicated teams within the Los Angeles organizing committee, including an office in Washington, are building strong relationships with relevant agencies to address potential challenges. Coventry expressed confidence that lessons learned from the World Cup—such as Iran’s forced relocation of its training base from Arizona to Mexico and a Somali referee’s denied entry—will help prevent similar issues. The IOC Executive Board also approved adding ski mountaineering to the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps, following its debut at the Milano Cortina Games earlier this year. However, crossover sports like cyclocross were excluded for now, with Karl Stoss noting that the IOC aims to preserve the identity of winter sports centered on snow and ice. The decision on ski mountaineering will be formally considered at the IOC’s 146th Session in Lausanne on June 24–25. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles organizing committee continues to refine visa processes, ensuring clear communication with U.S. agencies about the scale and nature of the Olympic delegation.