The cloud of controversy surrounding the lacrosse team of Haudenosaunee Nationals has received a major boost with the President of the United States of America, Joe Biden’s latest comments. To make the event a memorable one the team is looking to compete under its own flag at the Olympics. Although this might be a tough ask, the members of the team must be elated to know that President Biden is backing them! As strange as this sounds, it is true. A significant factor that might go in their favor going forward is their indigenous roots.

With the announcement of Lacrosse returning to the Olympics in the 2028 edition, fans and athletes alike are filled with excitement. The last time lacrosse was part of the prestigious Olympics was way back in 1908. With controversy surrounding the Haudenosaunee Nationals’ participation, things have really gotten interesting. So what did Potus say? What are the challenges the team might face to cut into the Olympics? Let’s find the answers below.

Joe Biden motivates indigenous lacrosse team  

The Haudenosaunee Nationals are a group of immensely talented people who play the game internationally. Their expertise can be justified by their scintillating performance in the men’s World Lacrosse Championships where they clinched bronze. Now, the team wanted to continue with their dream run on the grandest stage, the rules of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). 

According to the rule, the team would be unable to register as a separate flag due to the fact that they do not belong to a country with a National Olympic Committee. While this rule seemed to be the last nail in the coffin, things have just been rejuvenated by Joe Bidem’s intervention. The American President appeared at the White House Tribal Nations Summit recently. He spoke on the situation about the Haudenosaunee Nationals and even requested an exception. 

Biden stated, “Their ancestors invented the game. They perfected it for millenia. Their circumstances are unique. And they should be granted an exception to field their own team at the Olympics.” Such a statement coming from the President itself is huge. However, the IOC is still unwilling to make amendments. 

IOC’s rigidity might cost the indigenous team dearly

Even after the statement from Joe Biden, things aren’t looking much rosy for the Haudenosaunee Nationals. In a recent statement issued by the IOC, they stated that an exception can only happen if either of the two NOCs (National Olympic Committee) of Canada and USA collaborates and allows the athletes from the concerned region.

The statement read, “Only National Olympic Committees (NOCs) recognized by the IOC can enter teams for the Olympic Games in accordance with the Olympic Charter. This means it is up to the two NOCs concerned (USA and Canada) — in coordination with World Lacrosse and the National Federations concerned — to decide if they include athletes from Haudenosaunee in their respective teams depending on the passport they hold.” 

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However, all hope is not lost yet for Haudenosaunee Nationals. As a matter of fact, the IOC did allow an exception for a team comprising refugees to compete in the Rio Olympics in 2016. With Joe Biden questioning in favor of the team, it would be interesting to see the final call from the IOC. 

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