**Trump's New Travel Ban Exempts Athletes for Paris Olympics 2024**

In a sweeping move, President Donald Trump has reinstated and expanded his travel ban, affecting nationals from 12 countries and imposing partial restrictions on travelers from seven others. However, athletes and related personnel participating in major global events, such as the Paris Olympics 2024, will be exempt from these restrictions.

The countries facing full travel restrictions include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Partially restricted nations are Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. Despite these stringent measures, Section 4 of the president's order specifically excludes athletes, coaches, and immediate family members traveling for significant sporting events like the Olympics, according to the outlined exemption.

The exemption draws attention given the close public relationship between Trump and Fifa President Gianni Infantino. Infantino has frequently appeared alongside Trump, including at the first public meeting of Trump’s World Cup taskforce. This camaraderie has raised questions regarding the extent of lobbying efforts by sports governing bodies for such exceptions, although Fifa has declined to comment on the matter.

While the travel ban will affect a broad spectrum of travelers, its impact on athletes heading to the 2024 Paris Olympics remains minimal. The focus instead shifts to athletes based in the U.S. who represent nations included in the ban. Trump’s policy will come into effect on June 9, raising concerns among international athletes and their respective nations.

For now, only Iran among the restricted countries has qualified for the 2026 World Cup, though other nations like Venezuela and Sudan remain in contention. However, all eyes are on how the travel ban might influence preparations and participation in the Paris Summer Games next year, given that at least ten players from currently qualified clubs hail from restricted countries.

This blend of policy and sports paints a complex picture for international sporting events, raising both logistical and diplomatic questions about how geopolitical decisions can influence global athletic competitions.