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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is recommending that no international sporting events be held in Indonesia after the country excluded the Israeli national gymnastics team from the World Championships in Jakarta. In addition, the IOC ends all discussions with Indonesia on the organization of future Olympic Games.
“These actions deprive athletes of their right to compete peacefully and prevent the Olympic movement from showcasing the power of sport,” the IOC Executive Board said in a statement.
An Indonesian government official said earlier this month that Israeli athletes would be denied visas to compete in the championships, which began on October 19. The Israeli team included 2020 Olympic gold medalist and reigning world champion Artem Dolgopyat in the men’s floor exercise.
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Team Israel competes in the Rhythmic Gymnastics Group All-Around Final on the fifteenth day of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Porte de la Chapelle Arena on August 10, 2024 in Paris, France. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country and has long been a staunch supporter of the Palestinians. The planned participation of Israeli athletes has sparked intense opposition in the country. The IOC initially condemned the sanctions in a statement released Friday.
“The IOC’s principled position is very clear: all eligible athletes, teams and sports officials must be able to participate in international sporting competitions and events without any form of discrimination from the host country, in accordance with the Olympic Charter and the fundamental principles of non-discrimination, autonomy and political neutrality which govern the Olympic Movement,” the IOC press release said.
“It is therefore the direct responsibility of the host country, the organizer and the sports organizations directly concerned to ensure that this principle is fully respected and that all necessary assurances are provided in advance by the competent authorities of the host country.”
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In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, shakes hands with Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Monday, April 1, 2024.
Indonesia said it would not grant visas to the Israeli team due to the war in Gaza. Then, on Tuesday, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejected Israel’s request for intervention.
The Israel Gymnastics Federation (IGF) released a statement regarding the sanction.
“The rules are clear and Indonesia’s actions constitute a blatant violation of them. It is inconceivable that any country can ban another nation from participating in a World Championship while the governing bodies sit idly by,” the statement said via the BBC. “This decision undermines the very foundations of sport and fair competition, and it is a huge blow to the morale of the gymnasts and staff who have worked tirelessly for this moment.”
The president of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), Morinari Watanabe, spoke out and addressed the issue on Saturday during the World Championships.
“I agree [with] the IOC statement,” Watanabe said. “Sport is distinct from politics. All athletes have the same right to participate in the sporting event. The IOC and the FIG must protect this right. It is for the Olympic charter that we are writing.”
Watanabe added that the FIG “deeply regrets” the lack of protection for Israeli gymnasts, but expressed respect for the Indonesian government’s decision.
“We at FIG deeply regret that we cannot protect the rights of a country’s athletes this time. But, on the other hand, with the changing global situation, how to protect participating athletes is a challenge,” he said. “The Indonesian government told us that this is a measure to ensure the safety of participating athletes, including athletes from one country, as well as residents of the city of Jakarta. So the reason is not political, that’s what we hear.[ing]”.
Indonesia had already been stripped of its right to host the Under-20 FIFA World Cup when the governor of Bali refused to host the Israel team in a match.
Today’s latest Indonesian sanction is just the latest example of restrictions imposed on Israeli sports teams and fans in recent months, part of a growing trend.
THE Israeli Prime Minister The Tech cycling team has been excluded from an upcoming race in Italy, the Giro dell’Emilia, scheduled for October 4, due to potential disruptions. pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
The UEFA Europa League, Europe’s biggest soccer body, was reportedly preparing to vote in September on whether to suspend Israel over the war in Gaza.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced that no action would be taken against the team on October 3. He then reportedly met privately at FIFA headquarters with the head of the Palestinian football federation, Jibril Rajoub, and praised his organization “for its resilience at this time,” according to the Associated Press.
Israeli gymnasts, silver medalists, celebrate after the rhythmic gymnastics group all-around final during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Porte de la Chapelle arena in Paris, August 10, 2024. (Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP)
Meanwhile, fans of Israeli teams have also been excluded from recent major events.
Lovers of the Israeli The Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer team is barred from attending a Europa League match in Birmingham, England, on November 6 for security reasons, after its fans were attacked in Amsterdam during a match against Ajax last fall.
