The Olympic organization expresses its disappointment after the failed attempt to secure visas for the country’s athletes
Israel confirmed this week that it will not participate in the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Jakarta after its athletes were denied visas. PHOTO: REUTERS
BERLIN:
The International Olympic Committee said on Friday it regretted Indonesia’s decision to ban Israeli athletes from the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, despite intense efforts by the Olympic Organization to find a solution.
Israel confirmed this week that it would not participate in the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Jakarta after its athletes were denied visas, with the Israel Gymnastics Federation calling the decision shocking and heartbreaking.
Indonesia said last week it had denied visas to Israeli gymnasts amid an outcry over Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, which cost Israeli athletes a place at the world championships starting Sunday in the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, which has no formal diplomatic ties to Israel.
“Since the IOC became aware of the situation… it has, at all levels, been in contact with the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), the IOC Country Member, the National Olympic Committee and the Government of Indonesia to help facilitate a solution. Unfortunately, no solution has been found,” the IOC said in a statement.
“The ILO 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 IOC said it was up to the host countries and the organizers of sporting events and their respective federations to ensure the participation of all athletes without any discrimination or restriction in accordance with the Olympic Charter.
Indonesia has decided not to issue visas to the Israeli athletes, senior legal affairs minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra said, citing objections from groups such as the Islamic clerics council and the government in Jakarta.
The Gaza war has faced strong criticism in Indonesia, even after the recent ceasefire came into force. The ceasefire has halted two years of devastating clashes sparked by the October 7, 2023 attack in which Hamas-led gunmen killed around 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, according to Israeli estimates.
Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has killed nearly 68,000 people according to local health authorities.
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