TOP Sponsors Speak Out on U.S. Travel Ban -- Sponsor Spotlight

(ATR) IOC TOP sponsors Coca-Cola, GE, and Procter & Gamble say the companies will protect employees affected by a United States immigration and travel ban.

Each company spoke to media outlets in the wake of the recent executive order released by the Trump administration temporarily barring travel and immigration from seven countries. As global companies, all three are set to be impacted by the travel ban, which has been characterized by its chaotic rollout and protests from the American public at airports around the country.

Even without voting representatives, TOP sponsors remain influential in the Olympic Movement and each's opinions are well respected. The United States is currently bidding for the 2024 Olympics, and speculation began immediately after the order's implementation if the bid could be harmed from its effects.

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Meanwhile, major international sport supplier Nike issued one of the harshest 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.

A spokesperson for the State Department told Around the Ringsallowing for exceptions remains consistent with previous policy.

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On Friday, a U.S. federal judge issued a temporary nationwide hold on the ban, ruling that two states that had challenged Trump's executive order in court had presented a likely winning case.

FIFA Teams Up With Sportradar to Stamp Out Match Manipulation

FIFA is joining forces with Sportradar Integrity Services in the battle to stamp out match fixing in football.

Under the agreement, Sportradar will be using its award-winning monitoring system to identity and analyze any suspicious betting behavior or patterns tied to a variety of international and domestic competitions worldwide, including the FIFA World Cup™ and its qualifiers, the FIFA Confederations Cup and the Olympic Football Tournaments.

Sportradar will also provide education and intelligence services to FIFA, including an app that will allow players, coaches and staff to confidentially and anonymously report any concerns.

"Preserving the integrity of the game is paramount to FIFA," FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement.

"Given that match manipulation is still a serious concern for everyone who loves the game, FIFA will work with Sportradar, the global leader in match manipulation detection and prevention, to invigorate and enhance our integrity program. FIFA is committed to tackling match manipulation and protecting the integrity of football for players and fans."

FIFA says it will work closely with its six continental confederations (CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, CAF, UEFA, the AFC and the OFC) to ensure that any findings are provided to the appropriate organizations and to support any relevant follow-up action or disciplinary proceedings.

Sportradar CEO Carsten Koerl sais in a statement "It is an incredible honor to stand side by side with FIFA and also with all the confederations in a clear and unequivocal statement of intent and resistance."

Written by Aaron Bauer and Gerard Farek

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