IOC President Issues Statement on Donald Trump Amid Calls for US Olympic Ban

Kirsty Coventry, the president of the International Olympic Committee, has confirmed she has not spoken to Donald Trump about the 2028 LA Games amid calls for the US to be banned from competing.

Earlier this week, the IOC issued a verdict on the United States' involvement in the upcoming Winter Olympics amid Trump's controversial political moves.

As well as suggesting that the US must acquire Greenland for national security reasons, Trump has threatened European allies, including the UK, with 10 per cent tariffs if a deal over the world's largest island is not reached.

Following the aforementioned actions, there have been some calls for the US to be removed from the Winter Olympics, which will take place from 6 to 22 February 2026 at sites across Lombardy and Northeast Italy.

However, the IOC explained why it will not be doing so. "As a global organisation, the IOC has to manage a complex reality," a statement read, as per the Daily Mail.

Trump has threatened action against a number of countries. Image credit: Getty

"The IOC has to deal with the current political context and the latest developments in the world. The ability to bring athletes together, no matter where they come from, is fundamental to the future of values-based, truly global sport, which can give hope to the world."

The statement added: "For this reason, the IOC cannot involve itself directly in political matters or conflicts between countries, as these fall outside our remit. This is the realm of politics."

Now, IOC president Kirsty Coventry has confirmed that she had no plans to meet Donald Trump amid rising global tensions before the Olympics.

“We are always aware of all the conversations that are happening and the geopolitics and political conversations happening,” Coventry said at a press conference in Lausanne.

“I want to make clear that it is not in our remit to comment on such matters. Our goal is to have all national Olympic committees represented at the Games.”

Coventry also commented on countries coming together in harmony for the Games. A report from The Guardian suggests the comment 'sounded like a quiet rebuke' to the US administration.

“We will work extremely hard in order to protect the Olympic Games and the platform for the Olympic Games,” she said. “Because it showcases how we can live and a way of understanding each other."

IOC president Kirsty Coventry pictured during the opening of an IOC executive commission meeting. Image credit: Getty

Coventry added: "You don’t have to speak the same language in order to understand what each other is trying to achieve, or have an appreciation for each other. And for me, especially in today’s world, these are values that we need to ensure we are protecting.”