Nike Speaks Out Against Trump Executive Order

(ATR) Major international sport supplier Nike issued one of the hardest rebukes of the controversial travel ban in the United States.

Nike chief executive Mark Parker released a letter earlier this week decrying the ban saying the company "stands together against bigotry and discrimination." Parker said the letter was inspired by news that decorated Olympian Mo Farah would not be allowed to return to his home in the United States following the executive order.

Farah is a dual British-Somali national, who lives in Oregon to train. Farah was in Ethiopia training when the executive order came into effect, and said the travel ban "made me an alien" in a statement.

"We’ve learned that on the field of play, where fairness and mutual respect are the rule, not the exception," Parker said. "Now, more than ever, let’s stand up for our values and remain open and inclusive as a brand and as a company."

Farah’s status, along with those of other athletes, was cleared up in the last few days. After the order was enacted, Meisam Rafiei an Icelandic-Iranian athlete was detained traveling to the U.S. to compete in a taekwondo event. Eventually, the USOC confirmed Rafiei was allowed into the U.S. after working with the State Department.

A spokesperson for the State Department told Around the Rings yesterday allowing for exceptions remains consistent with previous policy.

"Consistent with the U.S. government’s longstanding support for the U.S. Olympic Committee, such athletes will be eligible to apply for a visa and be considered for an exception in the national interest on a case by case basis," the spokesperson said.

Nike, along with other influential Olympic sponsors, released statements relating to the ban, leading to speculation that the order could affect the ongoing Los Angeles Olympic bid. International federations which are organizing events in the United States faced initial confusion over the executive order, before work done by the United States Olympic Committee and the State Department cleared that up.

The IOC, after initially declining to comment on the executive order, told ATR in a statement it "welcomed" the work done by the USOC on the matter. ATR also understands that bid leaders from LA 2024 were instrumental in working with the USOC to clear up the policy to the Olympic movement.

"The IOC has been informed by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) about the pledge of cooperation it received from the US Government with regard to expedited access to the United States for athletes and officials in order to participate in international sports competitions," and IOC spokesperson said. "The IOC welcomes the initiative by USOC and trusts that international competitions in the United States continue to take place in line with the Olympic Values of friendship, excellence and respect."

Written by Aaron Bauer

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