By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) condemned a recent sanction by the government of Indonesia against Israel’s national team participation at the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Jakarta.
The Indonesian government denied the Israelis visas to enter the country for the upcoming Gymnastics World Championships which begins Sunday.
Any lingering hopes the impasse could be resolved before the event starts on Sunday now look to be over after the IOC issued a lengthy statement, on Friday.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said it had contacted FIG as well as the government of Indonesia and its Olympic authorities “to help facilitate a solution” but “unfortunately, no resolution has been found”.
“The IOC very much regrets the situation, especially after the remarkable step towards a peace agreement at the peace summit in Egypt, as witnessed by the president of Indonesia,” the statement said.
“The IOC executive board will discuss the specific situation of Indonesia – for all stakeholders involved – at its next meeting.
“Sport must remain a safe space for athletes to fulfil their dreams, and athletes must not be held responsible for political decisions.”
The Israel Gymnastics Federation (IGF) released a statement addressing the sanction.
“The rules are clear, and Indonesia’s actions constitute a blatant violation of them. It is inconceivable that a country can bar another nation from competing in a World Championship while the governing bodies stand by,” the statement read.
This decision undermines the very foundations of sport and fair competition, and it delivers a severe blow to the morale of the gymnasts and staff who have worked tirelessly for this moment.”
Indonesia was previously stripped of its right to host football’s Under-20 World Cup when the governor of Bali refused to host Team Israel in a game.
Indonesia’s latest sanction against the IGF is just the latest example of restrictions placed on Israel’s sports teams and fans in recent months.
Six months later, Israel launched its offensive in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage back to Gaza.
Since then more than 67,000 people have been killed by Israel’s offensive, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry. Its figures are seen as reliable by the United Nations and other international bodies.