US Olympic Committee ensures access for athletes from majority Muslim countries

Athletes and leaders from majority Muslim countries that have been banned from entering the United States will receive an exception to participate in international events in the country, announced the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).

"The Government has notified us today that they will work with us to ensure that athletes and leaders from all countries have access to the United States to participate in international competitions," said Larry Probst and Scott Blackmun, top officials of USOC, in a statement published on Monday.

At the same time, American leaders warned that "the Olympic movement was founded on principles of diversity and inclusion." "And as representatives of the Olympic movement in the United States, we embrace these values," they added.

"We also recognize the difficult task of ensuring national security. We sincerely hope that the executive order, when implemented, properly recognizes the values on which our nation and the Olympic movement were founded," they said.

The decision made by President Donald Trump imposes a ban on entry to the United States for the next 90 days for citizens of Syria, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Somalia, Libya and Yemen, all majority Muslim countries.

In addition, the entry of refugees from around the world into US territory has been cut off for 120 days. In the case of Syrians, the restriction is indefinite.

With the Los Angeles bid, USOC is in the race for the host of the 2024 Olympic Games against Paris and Budapest. The decision will be made by the International Olympic Committee in September in Lima.