U.S. Denies Entry to Runners-up of Table Tennis World Championship
In a surprising turn of events, Brazilian table tennis player and vice-world champion Hugo Calderano has been denied visa-free entry to the United States for the WTT Grand Smash in Las Vegas. This decision was made due to Calderano's visit to Cuba in 2023, a country designated as a state that supports terrorism under U.S. immigration regulations[1][2][3].
The regulations in question are part of the 2015 Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act. This act prohibits individuals who have traveled to certain countries, including Cuba, from using the visa waiver program, even if they are eligible through other citizenships, such as Calderano's Portuguese citizenship[1][2][3].
Calderano had travelled to Cuba for the ITTF Pan American Championships and the Paris 2024 Olympic qualifiers. Despite efforts by the local table tennis association and the US Olympic Committee to secure an emergency visa, the timeline was too tight, and he missed the tournament[1][2][3]. This regulation affects anyone who has visited Cuba after January 12, 2021, making them ineligible for visa-free entry under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)[4].
The US Grand Smash, offering a prize money of 1.55 million dollars, is a significant event in the table tennis calendar. Calderano, who has made a splash this year with second place at the table tennis World Championships in Doha and the Olympic fourth-placer from Paris, would have been a strong contender[5]. However, he will now miss out on this lucrative tournament due to the U.S. government's tightened entry requirements.
The table tennis world is abuzz with discussions about this unexpected turn of events. Calderano, who was under contract with German champions TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen until the end of the season, is set to participate in the Europe Smash, taking place from August 14 to 24 in Malmo, Sweden[6]. The outcome of his visa issue remains to be seen, but for now, the focus remains on the upcoming table tennis events and the exciting competition they promise.
Sources: [1] ntv.de [2] tno/sid [3] ITTF News [4] U.S. Customs and Border Protection [5] ITTF News [6] ITTF News
The Community of table tennis enthusiasts globally is in discussion about the unexpected U.S. government regulation that restricts employment opportunities for athletes, such as Brazilian vice-world champion Hugo Calderano, who have visited certain countries, like Cuba. Despite being eligible through his Portuguese citizenship, Calderano was denied visa-free entry to the United States for the lucrative US Grand Smash in Las Vegas, where he would have competed in sports, showcasing his exceptional table tennis skills.
