The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has issued a stern warning to all international sports federations, urging them to refrain from organizing sporting events in Indonesia. This significant directive comes in response to Indonesia’s decision to deny visas to Israeli gymnastics athletes, effectively barring them from participating in a world championship held in Jakarta.
The IOC has explicitly requested international sports federations to suspend any plans for competitions within Indonesia. Furthermore, the global sporting body has announced the cessation of all discussions with Indonesia regarding its ambition to host the 2036 Summer Olympic Games. These crucial discussions, the IOC clarified, will only resume once the Indonesian government guarantees unrestricted access to all athletes, regardless of their nationality, upholding the fundamental principle of non-discrimination in sports.
Indonesia has previously expressed strong interest in hosting the prestigious Summer Olympics in 2036. However, its recent actions have put this ambition at risk. The visa denial occurred during the World Gymnastics Championships, where the primarily Muslim nation of Indonesia refused entry to Israeli athletes, leading to considerable disappointment among the affected team. Indonesia’s government, along with influential Islamic clerics, cited its historical displeasure with actions against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, attributed to Israel, as the basis for their decision. Indonesia has long maintained no formal diplomatic relations with Israel.
In the wake of the incident, Sarit Shenar, President of the Israeli Gymnastics Federation (IGF), conveyed profound surprise and disappointment regarding the host nation’s resolution. The IGF subsequently lodged appeals with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) for intervention. However, these major sports bodies ultimately confirmed their inability to interfere with the administrative and sovereign decisions of the Indonesian government.
This diplomatic friction is rooted in the ongoing geopolitical tensions between Israel and Palestine. Indonesia’s stance reflects its opposition to actions in the Gaza Strip, stemming from the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Indonesia and Israel do not maintain formal diplomatic ties, which often impacts various international interactions, including sports.
