A few weeks ago, track and field raconteur Christopher Maduewesi brought in a fresh issue that displayed the nonchalance in the American VISA approval system. As the sports commentator added, the Nigerian track and field athletes bore the brunt mainly when the American officials did not avail them of the necessary visa to participate in contests in the USA. Later, in the World Relay Race in the Bahamas as well, the Nigerian relay team had to move to different doors asking for US visas. Recently, Angel Reese, the LSU alum and Chicago Sky forward has disgusted the system when a basketball player went through almost a similar experience. 

It was all about Nika Muhl, the Croatian basketball player who has been living her basketball aura in the USA. The bone of contention was that despite playing in UConn for the last four years, Nika couldn’t collect the P1 visa to start her WNBA career in the USA. Several players and associations voiced support for the matter. But the authority did not pay heed. After noticing such an off-culture, Angel Reese had to take a stand. And on X, the LSU alum put a long post to take on the authorities. Eventually, Muhl received her visa. But does it end the problem? 

The Nigerian relay team also had the same fate- they received the needed visas after experiencing the initial jerk. Later in the Bahamas, the team appeared with their chin up and their performance proved their resilience. Four teams from the country punched their Paris Olympics tickets. But because of the initial uncertainty, mental stress was bound to take a toll on them. Furthermore, when the sports world is raising its voice for equal treatment for all, such issues may act the opposite. And this has not been an abrupt case. 

At the onset of the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Oregon, several athletes from Kenya, South Africa, Jamaica, and India faced the edge. Ferdinand Omanyala, the Kenyan sprinter, received his visa just less than 24 hours before his first race. Understandably, he had to make a last-minute hurried attempt to reach the USA. Angel Reese’s call out once again recalls the unfortunate incidents that took place on that occasion. 

Angel Reese’s post opens the Pandora’s Box again 

After Omanyala failed to avail of the visa, it was visible that the World Athletics couldn’t do much to change the situation. Such a lackadaisical approach led Davor Savija, the then Kenyan representative for the athletes, to add, “Deafening silence from World Athletics Championship as more and more athletes will miss the Champs due to visa issues. Imagine if the same was happening with athletes from other countries, than what we are hearing so far about …”.

So, it was almost similar to Nika Muhl’s case, where several authorities could not inflict a solution despite having a large presence. The Ivorian Olympian Marie Josée Ta Lou-Smith had also something to add on behalf of the sportspersons who usually face such issues. After witnessing the entire doldrums, she then called it “frustrating” with a heavy load on the athletes. The US legend Michael Johnson termed the availing of the US visa as the hardest job in the world. But that seems to be the coming of a greater problem.

In four years from now, the Olympics will return to the USA. while this year’s Olympics have yet to raise the curtains, preparations are already underway for the games to descend at Los Angeles in 2028. If availing of a VISA remains that much of a daunting task, it might seriously hamper participation at the games. Angel’s post comes as a reminder of that. Are the authorities listening?