Jakarta, Indonesia – The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has issued a stern warning to Indonesia, recommending that international sports federations refrain from organizing any events or meetings in the country. This recommendation comes after Indonesia maintained its stance against granting visas to Israeli athletes, most recently affecting the Gymnastics World Championships.
On October 22, the IOC’s Executive Board announced its decision to advise all international sports federations against hosting events in Indonesia. This measure is intended to remain in effect until the Southeast Asian nation provides concrete assurances regarding visa provision for all participants in any sporting competitions held on its soil. Furthermore, the IOC Executive Board confirmed it had ceased all discussions with Indonesia concerning the possibility of hosting future Olympic events.
This contentious situation arose when Indonesia refused to issue visas for the Israeli gymnastics team, preventing their participation in the 2025 Gymnastics World Championships. The championships were underway in Jakarta from October 19 to 25. Indonesia justified its decision by citing its unwavering support for Palestine.
Following Indonesia’s visa denial, the Israeli Gymnastics Federation lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The federation sought to guarantee the presence of its athletes or, alternatively, compel a change or cancellation of the event. However, CAS ultimately rejected the appeal, thereby confirming that Israeli athletes would not be able to compete in Indonesia, which is home to the world’s largest Muslim population.
On October 23, the IOC Executive Board reiterated its firm principle that “all eligible athletes, teams, and sports officials must be able to participate in international sports competitions and events without discrimination from the host country.” This principle underscores the IOC’s commitment to inclusivity in sports.
Despite the clear warnings and potential repercussions, Indonesian Minister of Sports and Youth, Erick Thohir, confirmed on October 23 that Indonesia was aware of the consequences of banning Israeli nationals. In a statement posted on social media, he emphasized, “Indonesia will continue to play an active role in various sports events at the Southeast Asian, Asian, and world levels. We adhere to the principles of maintaining security, order, and public interest in every international event held.” He further clarified that, based on these principles, Indonesia had taken measures to prevent the arrival of the Israeli delegation for the Gymnastics World Championships.
The National Olympic Committee of Indonesia, when approached for comment on the IOC’s actions, declined to provide a statement, indicating that discussions on the matter were ongoing.
This is not the first instance of Indonesia facing international sporting repercussions due to its political stance. In July 2023, Indonesia withdrew from hosting the World Beach Games following controversies surrounding Israeli participation. Earlier in March of the same year, the country lost its rights to host the FIFA Under-20 World Cup after two local officials publicly opposed Israel’s involvement. It is important to note that both these previous incidents occurred prior to the outbreak of the current conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
