Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
International Olympic Committee (IOC) made a number of decisions after the Indonesian government did not grant visas to six Israeli athletes to appear at the 2025 World Gymnastics Championships in Jakarta.
In an official statement via the organization’s official website, the IOC Executive Board expressed ‘concern’ after six Israeli athletes were unable to appear at the 2025 World Gymnastics Championships in Indonesia.
“Following the Indonesian government’s cancellation of Israeli athletes’ visas for the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Jakarta, the IOC Executive Board met online this week and discussed this particular situation as well as the recurring global issue of athletes’ access to international competitions.”
ADVERTISEMENT
SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT
“This again highlights the principled position of the IOC: all qualified athletes, teams and sports officials must be able to participate in international sporting competitions and events without any discrimination from the host country, in accordance with the Olympic Charter and the basic principles of non-discrimination, autonomy and political neutrality that govern the Olympic Movement,” wrote the IOC, Wednesday (22/10).
The IOC Executive Board then took the decision to end all communication with the Indonesian Olympic Committee (NOC) or KOI regarding Indonesia’s opportunity to host a multi-sport event such as the Olympics.
“To avoid a similar situation in the future, the IOC Executive Committee decided on the following: Ending all forms of dialogue with the Indonesian Olympic Committee [KOI] “regarding the holding of the Olympics, Youth Olympics, other Olympic events or conferences in the future until the Indonesian government provides adequate guarantees to the IOC that they will allow access to Indonesia for all participants, regardless of nationality,” wrote the IOC.
The IOC also asked all international sports federations not to hold sports matches or meetings in Indonesia.
“Recommends to all International Federations not to hold any international sporting events or meetings in Indonesia until the Indonesian government provides adequate guarantees to the International Federations that they will allow access to Indonesia for all participants, regardless of nationality,” wrote the IOC.
In the final point, the IOC requested a meeting with KOI and the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) in Switzerland to discuss the issue of visas for Israeli athletes at the 2025 World Gymnastics Championships.
This IOC decision is in line with the statement by the General Chair of KOI, Raja Sapta Oktohari. In a press conference held on October 10, Okto stated that the decision to cancel Israeli athletes’ visas had ‘consequences’ for Indonesia.
“We know that everything will have consequences. But because this is a joint decision and we really respect the decisions taken, because we also communicate in communications with the government. We will definitely see all the consequences after the activity,” said Okto at that time.
(hair)
