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View all search resultsIOC expresses 'great concern' over Israeli gymnasts' worlds exclusion
"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," the IOC said.
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A Brazilian gymnast trains at the Indonesia Arena stadium in Jakarta on Oct. 16, 2025, ahead of the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships. The championships will be held from Oct. 19 to 25, 2025 for the first time in a Southeast Asian country. (AFP/Yasuyoshi Chiba)
T
he International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Friday hit out at the Indonesian government's refusal to issue visas for Israeli athletes at the upcoming gymnastics World Championships.
Last week, Indonesian authorities denied Israeli gymnasts entry visas for the championships that start on Sunday, before the Israeli Gymnastics Federation appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), demanding that it either guaranteed their athletes' presence or forced a move or cancellation of the event.
But CAS rejected the appeal, meaning that Israeli athletes will not compete in the Oct. 19 to 23 championships in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country.
In a statement released on Friday, the IOC expressed "great concern" over the Indonesian decision and said it would "discuss the specific situation" of the Asian country at its next Executive Board meeting.
"The IOC's principled position 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," the IOC said.
"It is therefore the direct responsibility of the host country, the organiser and the sports organisations directly concerned to make sure that this principle is fully respected," it added.
"Sport must remain a safe space for athletes to fulfil their dreams; and athletes must not be held responsible for political decisions."
Last week, the Indonesian government said that it would not allow entry to Israeli gymnasts, citing support for Palestinians.
Israel has been at war with Palestinian armed group Hamas in Gaza for more than two years.
More than 67,900 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory, figures the United Nations considers to be credible.
Israel launched the war in response to Hamas's 2023 attack on Israel that resulted in the deaths of 1,221 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.
Indonesia has several times withdrew from various sporting competitions joined by Israeli contingents, even before the war broke out in Gaza.
In July 2023, Indonesia pulled out of hosting the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) World Beach Games following controversy over Israel's participation. In March that year, Indonesia lost the hosting rights to the FIFA Under-20 World Cup after two governors objected to Israel's participation.
