Al-Monitor- As the Trump administration readies a new executive order limiting travel to the United States for citizens of seven mostly Muslim nations, Americans who value athletic contact with Iran say the restrictions should not apply to sports exchanges.

“The White House made it clear to the Olympic movement that there were going to be exceptions made for athletes participating” in international competitions, Rich Bender, the executive director of USA Wrestling, told Al-Monitor in an interview.

Bender spoke just after returning from the 2017 freestyle Wrestling World Cup in Kermanshah, Iran.

The American team came in second to Iran, but Bender said the event was “the best I have experienced” in his 29 years with USA Wrestling.

“We were given fantastic treatment,” Bender said, noting the warmth of their welcome and the enthusiasm and knowledge of Iranian fans.
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