The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has publicly condemned Indonesia’s decision to deny visas to Israel’s national gymnastics team. The move comes just before the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships begin on Sunday in Jakarta.
Indonesia says the visa denial is linked to the war in Gaza. “Israel is not allowed in,” the government stated, citing security concerns. The IOC’s statement said, “All athletes and officials must be able to compete without discrimination.” The Olympic body added that host nations, event organizers, and sports federations must guarantee non‑discriminatory access for all competitors, following the Olympic Charter’s core values of autonomy, neutrality and fairness.
The IOC will bring the issue to its next meeting with Indonesian officials. Its spokesperson said, “Sport must remain a safe space for athletes to chase their dreams. No athlete should suffer from political decisions.”
The Israel Gymnastics Federation (IGF) called the decision a “blatant violation” of sport rules. “Indonesia’s action undermines fair competition and demoralises the gymnasts who have trained hard for this moment,” the IGF said in a statement shared by the BBC.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejected an intervention request from Israel, leaving the ban in place. This action follows a similar situation last year when Indonesia was stripped of the right to host a football Under‑20 World Cup after its governor refused to host a match involving Team Israel.
Israel’s sports teams are facing broader restrictions worldwide. The Israel Premier Tech cycling team was excluded from Italy’s Giro dell’Emilia race on October 4 due to potential pro‑Palestinian protests. Meanwhile, UEFA hinted at a possible vote to suspend Israel from the Europa League over Gaza tensions, but FIFA President Gianni Infantino said no action would be taken as of October 3. Additionally, Israeli football fans were barred from a Europa League match in Birmingham, England, citing safety concerns after attacks on Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters in Amsterdam.
Amid these sporting disputes, President Donald Trump recently oversaw a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, resulting in the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners. The international community remains divided over how political conflicts should influence sports and whether international bodies should intervene to protect athletes and fans alike.
Source: New York Post
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