A Trump presidency would affect Los Angeles’ plans to host the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is expected to hold a vote to decide the host city in September next year. Paris and Budapest are two of Los Angeles’ competitors.
In August, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, a Democrat and Hillary Clinton supporter, acknowledged that IOC members had concerns about Trump.
“For us, I think the opinion of the IOC members is well founded. An America that is changing inside, like any country that is changing inside, is not good for world peace, is not good for progress, is not good for all of us,” he said.
IOC President Thomas Bach spoke in the summer of “a world of selfishness with some people putting themselves above others.” That was clearly a reference to plans Trump has put forward, including a possible ban on Muslim immigration and the deportation of millions of illegal immigrants. Trump’s plans could upset the IOC’s elected representatives, who come from many countries and cultures. “They ask themselves: ‘Is America changing in a strange way?’” Garcetti said.
The United States is undoubtedly a strong contender to host the 2026 World Cup, but will the Trump-led administration affect how the event unfolds if they win the bid? The US leading the race to host the 2026 World Cup is undeniable.
FIFA is considering increasing the number of World Cup teams from 40 to 48. Along with that, the organization’s leaders are certainly leaning towards the idea of a co-hosted tournament.
CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani has been careful to keep open the possibility of the US, Mexico, and Canada co-hosting the tournament. But no one knows what consequences Trump’s plan to build a border wall between the US and Mexico will have on relations between the two countries.
Trump’s plans to deport illegal immigrants, whom he calls “bad guys,” could also strain relations.
World Cup bids only succeed with strong government backing and solid financial guarantees. It’s hard to imagine a friendly atmosphere of cooperation for a cross-border tournament when there are major issues of contention at the top between the two governments.
“We will get along with all nations that want to get along with us,” Trump said in his inaugural address. A joint US-Canada hosting seems more realistic. Meanwhile, when the US soccer team plays Mexico in a World Cup qualifier tomorrow, November 11, it will be a preliminary test of whether sports can transcend politics.
Trump has threatened to end numerous trade deals. What impact will that have on the growth of American sports beyond its borders? Trump has a strong connection to golf, owning some of the world’s most prestigious golf courses in the US, Scotland and Dubai. He occasionally tweets about the NFL and is friends with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.
The NFL’s ambitions for globalization – along with the NBA and MLB – could be affected by Trump’s plans to impose tariffs on imported goods.
Leaders of the three major American sports have ambitions to expand their influence internationally. In recent years, games have been held in numerous cities such as London, Barcelona, Rio de Janeiro, Mexico City, Shanghai, and Berlin.
But economists warn that tariffs could lead to a trade war between the US and its partners. Will countries like China, which could face 45% tariffs, open their doors to host games that primarily benefit American clubs and allow tariff adjustments in their favor?
London Mayor Sadiq Khan affirmed, “London is open,” and encouraged American sports teams to visit. That won’t change – but American sports teams will now have to consider the impact of a completely altered global economic environment.
The US Department of Justice initiated criminal proceedings against FIFA officials in May 2015. But will President Trump and his Attorney General nominee continue to prioritize this issue? Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has been tipped to replace current Attorney General Loretta Lynch. Giuliani’s name is linked to the fight against mafia groups and shady financial organizations operating in New York in the 1980s. Therefore, he wouldn’t mind continuing the fight against corruption involving soccer officials.
The wheels of justice will continue to roll in the US with efforts to extradite former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner from Trinidad and Tobago. Another vice-president, Jeffrey Webb, caught during a raid on a Zurich hotel in June 2015, is awaiting a prison sentence from a US court.
But will the new Attorney General, whoever is appointed, continue to be interested in pursuing cases against officials whose activities are the subject of lengthy indictments but have not yet been actively prosecuted?
Leave a Reply