IOC President, Kirsty Coventry, Plans Meeting with Trump to Address LA 2028 Olympics and Key Concerns

Kirsty Coventry, the newly-elected President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has expressed her intention to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss the upcoming Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Coventry, who is Zimbabwe’s sports minister and Africa’s most decorated Olympian, stressed the shared commitment between both the IOC and the United States to ensure the Games’ success.
The LA 2028 Olympics are viewed as a major commercial opportunity, with the IOC looking to explore new revenue sources. This will also be the first time in over three decades that the Summer Olympics will be held in the U.S., offering a valuable opportunity to tap into the American market.
Since taking office, President Trump has introduced executive orders focused on stricter border controls, more rigorous visa screenings, and increased actions against undocumented immigration. These policies have raised concerns among some IOC members about potential delays in obtaining U.S. visas, particularly given Trump’s tough stance on immigration. These members are seeking clarification from U.S. organizers on how these rules might impact athletes traveling to the LA 2028 Games.
Coventry suggested that direct discussions with Trump could help resolve the issue, stressing the importance of aligning IOC values and priorities to ensure a successful event. She expressed confidence that common ground could be found in addressing the Games’ goals.
On a separate issue, Trump has implemented policies that ban transgender athletes from participating in U.S. school sports, which advocacy groups argue infringes upon transgender rights. He has also stated that transgender athletes will not be allowed to compete in the LA Olympics. However, the IOC currently allows transgender athletes to participate. Trump’s executive order also instructed the State Department to pressure the IOC to reconsider its stance on transgender athletes. In response, the IOC has encouraged individual federations to create their own rules regarding gender participation, as there is no universal policy across all sports. Coventry noted that it will be important for the IOC and international federations to collaborate in addressing these issues and maintaining the integrity of women’s sports.