The IOC has announced that they don't want Indonesia to host any international sports events. Image: SABC News.
(The Post News)– The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has urged international sports federations not to host any sporting events in Indonesia after the country denied visas to Israeli gymnasts, preventing them from competing in the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships currently taking place in Jakarta.
In a statement, the IOC also announced that it was suspending all discussions about a potential Olympic Games bid from Indonesia until the government could guarantee that all athletes, regardless of nationality, would be allowed to compete there in the future. The decision effectively ends Indonesia’s hopes of hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics, a goal the country has openly pursued over the years.
Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, refused entry to Israeli gymnasts earlier this month amid widespread anger over Israel’s military operations in Gaza. Senior Legal Affairs Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra said the decision reflected objections from both the Indonesian government and religious groups, including the country’s council of Islamic clerics.
Israel Gymnastics Federation Expresses Shock and Heartbreak
The Israel Gymnastics Federation described Indonesia’s actions as “shocking and heartbreaking,” saying the ban went against the spirit of sportsmanship and inclusion.
In response, the IOC said it would revise its qualification principles to ensure that all athletes have guaranteed access to Olympic qualifying events, regardless of their nationality. The committee also called a meeting in Lausanne with the Indonesian Olympic Committee and the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) to address the issue, though no date has been set.
Indonesia does not have formal diplomatic ties with Israel and has long been a vocal critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza, maintaining that stance even after the recent ceasefire came into effect.
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