Politics and Sports: How Foreign-Born Athletes Shape American Athletics | The African Gourmet
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Politics, Sports, and Foreign-Born Athletes
Talent is everywhere; opportunity is not; politics and sports should be separate issues.
One of the great things about sports was how they brought together athletes of different backgrounds.
Political Roles in Sports
Four-time Olympic gold-medal-winning runner Mo Farah has criticized the U.S. immigration policy. Farah is a British citizen who was born in Somalia, one of seven predominantly Muslim nations subject to the executive order that barred entry to the United States.
Farah moved to Britain from Somalia at the age of 8 and is regarded as one of the greatest-ever athletes in British sport after winning the 5,000 and 10,000 meters at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games and the 2013 and 2015 world championships.
He also won the 5,000-meter gold at the 2011 world championships and was recently given a knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II. "On 1st January this year, Her Majesty The Queen made me a Knight of the Realm. On 27th January, President Donald Trump seems to have made me an alien," Farah stated.
A Somali man lifts weights at a gym in the Hamar Weyne district of Mogadishu
When Trump signed a revised version of his immigration order, USA Weightlifting's CEO Phil Andrews released a statement in response:
"Sport is universal in its ability to unite the world under the banners of peace and inclusion. The global Weightlifting community is tight-knit and we, as a community, celebrate our ability to meet and compete with athletes from around the globe. USA Weightlifting maintains our position that politics and sport be separate. We continue to work with our partners at the United States Olympic Committee to determine what impact this action may have beyond the initial 90-day travel restriction. As hosts of the 2017 International Weightlifting Federation World Championships, the United States hopes to welcome athletes from around the world–including those from the six countries mentioned in today's U.S. Government action."
U.S. Olympic Committee spokesman Patrick Sandusky said in a statement that the USOC is "working closely with the administration to understand the new rules and how we best navigate them as it pertains to visiting athletes and officials. We know the administration supports the Olympic Movement and our bid, and we believe we will have a good working relationship with them to ensure our success in hosting and attending events."
Foreign-born athletes play an important role in professional sports in America.
The US team had immigrant and foreign athletes competing for gold at the Olympics. Sports are a fundamental part of American society and culture. With enormous popularity, they serve as a vehicle that unites the country to transmit values such as justice, effort, dedication, and teamwork.
Many athletes travel to the USA on non-immigrant visas, such as P and O visas, which can be used to live and carry out their activities for a specified period, always tied to an employer or sponsor in the United States. James Naismith, born in Canada, invented basketball in 1891 after working at a YMCA in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Modern Global Sports Icons:
According to a 2019 survey by the Migration Policy Institute, the states of Louisiana and California are the ones that offer the most opportunities for foreign professional athletes, either through scholarships for university students or to work on professional teams in these regions. These states are followed by Georgia, Alabama, and Texas.
What are P and O visas?
O-1 VISA
Athletes nationally or internationally recognized for their sporting achievements may be eligible for a non-immigrant O-1 visa. This visa has an initial limit of 3 years and can be renewed for another 1 year. Professionals on the athlete's team to assist in a specific event or performance may qualify for an O-2 visa. The athlete's spouses and children can apply for the O-3 visa to also remain in the USA for a specified time.
P-1 VISA
Athletes or sports teams who wish to temporarily enter the United States to play in an American professional competition can apply for a P-1 visa. To qualify for a P-1 visa, an athlete must show that they are internationally recognized and are coming to the USA to participate in a league or event with a distinct reputation. The P-1 visa allows extended stays in the USA for up to five years, renewable for a second period of 5 years.
The NIL Revolution: Changing the Game for International Student-Athletes
Since 2021, the NCAA's Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policy has transformed college sports, creating new opportunities and challenges for international student-athletes navigating complex visa regulations while capitalizing on their market value.
NIL by the Numbers:
Visa Complexities in the NIL Era:
Navigating NIL as an International Athlete:
State-by-State NIL Landscape:
The Future of International NIL:
As NIL evolves, we're seeing:
- Global Brand Partnerships: International athletes leveraging hometown connections for cross-border deals
- Visa Policy Updates: Potential immigration reforms to accommodate NIL activities
- Recruitment Impact: NIL opportunities becoming key factors in international recruitment
- Professional Pathway: NIL serving as bridge to professional careers for international athletes
"NIL has fundamentally changed international recruitment. Universities that can clearly articulate their NIL support structure for international students have a significant competitive advantage. We're seeing talented athletes choose schools based on NIL infrastructure rather than just athletic programs."
