US wrestlers plan to be at next month's World Cup in Iran, despite that country's claim that it would ban American visitors in retaliation to President Donald Trump's controversial immigration order.
The US freestyle team's participation in one of the most prestigious wrestling events has been in doubt, given the fallout from Trump's executive order last week to ban travellers from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Iran.
The two nations have long had a congenial relationship in wrestling, but Iran said on Saturday that it would stop American citizens from entering the country, in retaliation to what it called "hostile policies" of the US government.
But USA Wrestling, which has a long tradition of competing with nations that may not have a strong relationship between their governments, said it still plans to send a delegation of 13 athletes, two coaches and a support staff to the February 16-17 in Kermanshah.
"This tour continues a long history of goodwill and co-operation between the United States and Iran through wrestling, which is an impressive example of diplomacy between the people of these nations through sport," USA wrestling executive director Rich Bender said.
