Lausanne, Oct 23 (Udaipur Kiran): The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has strongly criticized Indonesia for refusing visas to Israeli athletes participating in the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships being held in Jakarta, announcing that it will no longer consider Indonesia as a host for any future Olympic or related events.
The controversy erupted after Israeli gymnasts were denied entry to compete in the championship, which runs from October 19 to 25. The Israel Gymnastics Federation appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but the appeal was dismissed, preventing Israeli athletes from participating.
In a statement, the IOC’s Executive Board said, “It is the responsibility of every host country to ensure that all eligible athletes, teams, and officials can participate in international competitions without discrimination.”
Taking a firm stance, the IOC added, “No discussions will be held with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Indonesia regarding the hosting of future Olympic Games, Youth Olympic Games, or any other Olympic-related events or conferences until the Indonesian government guarantees entry for athletes and officials from all countries.”
The IOC further urged all international sports federations to refrain from holding events or meetings in Indonesia until the government provides necessary assurances.
Additionally, the IOC has summoned both the Indonesian NOC and the International Gymnastics Federation to its headquarters in Lausanne for detailed discussions on the issue.
The Indonesian government defended its decision, saying it denied visas to Israeli gymnasts in support of Palestine.
This is not the first time Indonesia has faced backlash over its stance toward Israeli participation. In July 2023, the country withdrew from hosting the World Beach Games due to controversy surrounding Israel’s involvement. Earlier, in March 2023, FIFA stripped Indonesia of hosting rights for the Under-20 World Cup following protests by two provincial governors over Israel’s participation.
Both incidents occurred before the recent Gaza conflict between Israel and Hamas, which is currently under a temporary ceasefire.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
