LA28 officials expect Trump administration to honor promises for Games

The ban, scheduled to go into effect Monday, is likely to be challenged in court.
"I actually want to thank the federal government for recognizing that it's the Games writ large," Wasserman said. "It's the constituents of people -- the IOC members here this week and, for the next three years, the cadence of people from federations and governing bodies and (National Olympic Committees) and broadcasters -- that you know so well as they've come to the city pre-Games and during the Games. It's very clear that the federal government understands that that's an environment that they will be accommodating and provide for.
"And so we have great confidence that that will only continue," Wasserman added. "It has been the case to date, and it will certainly be the case going forward and through the Games."
Los Angeles and U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee officials signed a contract with the IOC in 2017 that promised, among other things, temporary entry to the United States "without limitation" for "representatives, employees or other persons acting on behalf of, or representing" the IOC, National Olympic Committees, international sport federations, rights-holding broadcasters, marketing partners, media and the Games' official timekeeper.
"We at the IOC have every confidence in the fact that the local authorities and the federal authorities understand that bringing the Games to your country is a big responsibility. It is 206 countries that are preparing to come to the Games," Nicole Hoevertsz, an IOC vice president who chairs the LA28 coordination commission, said.
Those 206 countries include some that would be banned by Trump's order. Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen are the countries banned while partial suspensions apply to Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.
"The federal government has given us that guarantee ... to make sure that these participants will be able to enter the country," Hoevertsz added. "... We are very confident that this is going to be accomplished."
While athletes and others affiliated with the Los Angeles Games might be exempt from the ban, it says nothing about fans who ordinarily travel for the Olympics and World Cup. In addition to the 2028 Olympics, the United States is co-hosting the men's World Cup next summer with Canada and Mexico.
But Wasserman said he doesn't anticipate the travel ban affecting ticket sales, answering with a flat "No" when he was asked about the possibility.

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'Looking directly at last year's end-of-year tour, there were some good performances – the performance against England, we very well could have beaten Ireland in Ireland. Overall, I think it was a positive tour and we saw some steps in the right direction. 'This year, Super Rugby has seen much more sustained, consistent performances from our Aussie sides. Maybe towards the back end there has been a little bit of drop off. But early on in the year, we have seen much more consistency from our Super sides, which can only bode well for the Wallabies selectors. 'I think everything is trending in the right direction, with obviously a big challenge coming in the Lions tour.' ‌ Working alongside Schmidt are experienced campaigners Laurie Fisher – the former Gloucester coach – and New Zealand scrum guru Mike Cron. Last but not least, Geoff Parling, who went toe-to-toe with Horwill in that Lions series 12 years ago, will find himself on the other side of the battle this time around. And it is the influence of that support staff that has been crucial, according to Horwill. He said: 'Joe has brought in his experience of his time in Ireland and his ability to put that programme together. It is the stability, not just through Joe but also the assistants. There are very good assistants working with him. ‌ 'While the head coach is obviously important, now more than ever, the coaching group is vital, both at club and Test level. The team he has brought together from a coaching aspect is very impressive. There has been some real clarity of what they are trying to achieve and how they are trying to play. 'And then it's a bit about bringing a bit of confidence back and giving some guys a bit more time in the saddle to perform. There have no doubt been some challenges but if we've got guys available and firing, we've got quite a formidable team.' ‌ What is clear in 2025 is that Australia find themselves with greater options than in recent seasons – particularly in the back row where the stocks are overflowing. In addition to key figures like Rob Valetini, Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight, the likes of Carlo Tizzano from the Western Force and Seru Uru at the Reds would all hope to be in a matchday 23. Add in Josh Kemeny and Pete Samu, both of whom started the Champions Cup final for Northampton Saints and champions Bordeaux-Bègles respectively, and it is clear that Schmidt has some big calls to make. ‌ Horwill reflected: 'If you go through and want to pick a XV, if you go position-by-position, you are asking yourself who would you pick and it's a hard decision. We probably haven't had that in previous years. You can almost see the quality of the squad by the people you leave out, rather than the people you select. 'When he names his squad for the Lions, there are going to be guys who are very good players who deserve to be there but there just aren't enough shirts to get the job. That only bodes well for performance, guys pushing and people chomping at the heels if you don't perform. 'You just have a look and try to pick the back row now and who misses out? Who is on the bench? It will be a fascinating battle. ‌ 'I think Fraser McReight is a difference-maker for us. He's a player that we saw on the end-of-season tour at Wallaby level, the game he didn't play against Scotland, you saw the difference in performance. 'Who plays No.8? Bobby Valetini and Harry Wilson have been putting in huge performances. Those two guys are going to be vital to get that go-forward ball for us against the Lions. And Carlo Tizzano couldn't be doing much more.' ‌ Brought in to replace Jones after his disastrous second spell, Schmidt will move on in 2026, to be succeeded by Reds boss Les Kiss. He and Schmidt have previously worked together with Ireland, while Kiss has plenty of experience of northern hemisphere rugby, having spent time at Ulster and then London Irish prior to them entering administration. While there has been no clear succession plan over the last two Wallaby coach changes, there appears to be a longer-term vision this time around. Horwill said: 'The two guys have worked together previously with Ireland and while they are different, they both have a similar understanding of how they like the game to be played. 'In terms of consistency and continuing the momentum that hopefully we have built by then, going into a home World Cup, I imagine that it will go quite seamlessly. 'Joe is staying on until July next year now and my understanding is that a big part of that is to help Les set up that programme so that they are ready to pick up and run with it and are not starting afresh. 'While Les no doubt has some differences to what Joe does, speaking to the Queensland guys, they all speak incredibly highly of him. He's done some great things with the Reds in the short time he has been there.' Horwill and the Wallabies were part of a Lions series for the ages 12 years ago. With Schmidt at the helm and a team on the up, there is reason to believe this summer's tour could be just as entertaining.