LA 2028 working to avoid repeat of World Cup visa issues: IOC president Coventry

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, June 10 : Los Angeles Olympics organisers are working closely with the authorities to avoid a repeat of the visa complications and denials of entry faced by several stakeholders at the soccer World Cup co-hosted by the U.S., International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry said on Wednesday.

"I am confident that in two years we will be able to overcome a number of the challenges that the World Cup is facing right now. But I think that also takes collaboration and learning," Coventry told a press conference in Lausanne after a meeting of the IOC's executive board.

IOC sports director Pierre Ducrey said there were dedicated people in the organising committee working on the matter.

"They have 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.

"I think it's also a lot about 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 and make sure we are all on the same page regarding what is going to happen in 2028."

Visa issues have already arisen at the World Cup, which begins on Thursday in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

The Iranian team had to move their training base from Arizona to Mexico and will be allowed to enter the U.S. only a day before each of their three matches, and a Somali referee was denied entry into the U.S. days before the event kicks off.

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