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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is recommending that no international sporting events be held in Indonesia after the country barred the Israeli national gymnastics team from the world championships in Jakarta. In addition, the IOC ends any discussion with Indonesia about hosting a future Olympics.
“These actions deprive athletes of their right to compete peacefully and prevent the Olympic Movement from demonstrating the power of sport,” the IOC’s executive board said in a statement.
An Indonesian official stated earlier this month that Israeli athletes would be denied visas to participate in the championships, which started on October 19. Israel’s team included 2020 Olympic gold medalist and defending world champion Artem Dolgopyat in the men’s floor exercise.
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Team Israel competes during the Rhythmic Gymnastics Group All-Around Final on day fifteen of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the 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 nation and has long been a staunch supporter of the Palestinians. The planned participation of Israeli athletes had sparked intense opposition in the country. The IOC initially condemned the sanctions in a statement released on Friday.
“The IOC’s position of principle is very clear: all eligible athletes, teams and sports officials must be able to participate in international sports 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 that govern the Olympic Movement,” the IOC’s statement said statement.
“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 given by the relevant authorities in the host country in advance.”
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In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with newly elected Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Monday, April 1, 2024.
Indonesia said it would not grant visas to Team Israel because of the war in Gaza. So on Tuesday, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejected Israel’s request for intervention.
The Israel Gymnastics Federation (IGF) released a statement on the sanction.
“The rules are clear and Indonesia’s actions are a flagrant breach of them. It is inconceivable that a country could prevent another nation from competing in a World Cup while the governing bodies stand by,” the statement read, via the BBC. “This decision undermines the very foundations of sport and fair competition, and it deals a serious 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 at the world championships.
“I agree [with] the statement from the IOC,” Watanabe said. “Sport is separate from politics. All athletes have an equal right to participate in the sporting event. The IOC and FIG must protect that right. It is for the Olympic Charter that we are writing.”
Watanabe added that the FIG “deeply regrets” the lack of protection for the Israeli gymnasts, but showed respect for the Indonesian government’s decision.
“At FIG, we deeply regret not being able to protect the rights of a country’s athletes this time. But on the other hand, with the global situation changing, how to protect participating athletes is a challenge,” he said. “We have heard from the Indonesian government that this was a measure to ensure the safety of participating athletes, including one country’s athletes, and also people in the city of Jakarta city, so the reason is not political, that is what we hear.[ing].”
Indonesia was previously stripped of the right to host soccer’s U20 World Cup when Bali’s governor refused to host Team Israel in a match.
Now, Indonesia’s latest sanction is just the latest example of restrictions imposed on Israel’s sports teams and fans in recent months, in a growing trend.
The Prime Minister of Israel The Tech cycling team has been banned from an upcoming race in Italy, the Giro dell’Emilia, scheduled for October 4, due to potentially disruptive pro-Palestinian protests.
The UEFA Europa League, Europe’s biggest soccer body, was reportedly heading for a vote to suspend Israel over the war in Gaza in September.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced that no action would be taken against the team on 3 October. He later reportedly met privately at FIFA headquarters with the head of the Palestinian Football Association, Jibril Rajoub, and praised his organization “for their resilience at this time,” according to the Associated Press.
Silver medalist Israel’s gymnasts celebrate after the rhythmic gymnastics group all-around final during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Porte de la Chapelle Arena in Paris on August 10, 2024. (Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP)
Meanwhile, fans of Israeli teams have also been banned from recent major events.
Fans of the Israeli one Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer team is banned from a Europa League match in Birmingham, England, on Nov. 6 over security concerns after the team’s fans were attacked in Amsterdam at a game against Ajax last fall.
