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The Israel Gymnastics Federation (IGF) confirmed that its national security team cleared its athletes to participate in Indonesia for the World Gymnastics Championships last month, despite the Indonesian government blocking the athletes from entering the country, citing security concerns.
An IGF spokesperson confirmed to Pakinomist Digital that the country’s security team cleared its athletes.
“We received permission from the Israeli security authorities to participate in the World Cup, subject to the necessary security protocols being in place. From our side, all preparations were completed – the registration process, entry visa to Indonesia and confirmation by Israeli security authorities,” the IGF said.
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Silver winners Team Israel celebrate on the podium during the Rhythmic Gymnastics Group All-Around Final medal ceremony 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)
Israeli men’s gymnast Eyal Indig previously told Pakinomist Digital that his country’s security team gave him and his teammates permission to enter the city, citing decades-long security measures the country’s sports teams have used since the 1972 Munich Olympics, when eight terrorists affiliated with the Black September group sneaked into the Olympic Village in a failed mission to take Israeli hostages at
“For us it was very strange,” Indig said. “The same security service did a scan a week before our flight, in Indonesia, they were in Indonesia, and they approved everything in terms of security. So we had full authorization from Israel’s security team, and you can believe me, they wouldn’t approve anything that wasn’t safe. And our federation kept telling us it was safe.”
Indig later called Indonesia’s decision “a blatant incident of discrimination on the basis of nationality.”
The Indonesian Embassy in the United States responded to Pakinomist Digital’s request for comment, saying, “The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia has no further comment to share on this matter.”
Indonesian Sports Minister Erick Thohir previously defended his country’s decision in a statement in the last week of October.
“We adhere to the principle of maintaining security, public order and public interest in hosting any international event,” Thohir said.
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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.
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.
The IGF further condemned Indonesia’s denial in a statement to Pakinomist Digital.
“We consider the decision to bar the Israeli national gymnastics team from participating in the World Championships in Indonesia to be both scandalous and deeply concerning for the integrity of international sport,” the statement read. “This decision runs completely counter to the core principles of sport and fair competition and represents a dangerous slippery slope towards the exclusion of athletes based on political, religious or social considerations.
“Behind these words are athletes who have dedicated their lives to excellence. They worked tirelessly and deserve an equal chance to showcase their abilities like any other gymnast.
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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)
“The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has chosen to stand by and allow the exclusion of the Israeli delegation, effectively giving the Indonesian government the approval it sought. But we will not remain silent. The Israel Gymnastics Federation and the Israel Olympic Committee appealed to CAS, and we hope for a clear and decisive decision that will prevent this from ever happening again.”
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 the Olympics in the future.
