Biden Backs Haudenosaunee Confederacy's Bid to Compete in 2028 Olympics

The Indigenous group, credited with inventing lacrosse, faces challenges due to Olympic regulations, but has received widespread support.

President Biden has voiced his support for the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, a group of Indigenous nations from the US and Canada, to compete under their own flag in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, where lacrosse will be included as an official sport for the first time since 1908.
The Haudenosaunee Confederacy, credited with inventing lacrosse, has faced challenges in gaining recognition due to Olympic regulations that require athletes to be part of a team submitted by their National Olympic Committee, representing an independent state recognized by the international community.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has the final say on the matter, and while it has made exceptions in the past, such as for the Refugee Olympic Team, it has not yet indicated whether it will invite the Haudenosaunee.
Despite the challenges, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy has received widespread support, including from World Lacrosse, the sport's governing body, and the LA28 Olympic organizers, who have pledged to work towards a solution that respects the sport's heritage and allows participation for Haudenosaunee lacrosse athletes.
President Biden's support is seen as a significant step towards global recognition for the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, whose lacrosse team, the Haudenosaunee Nationals, is ranked third in the world in men's field lacrosse.