Artistic gymnastics world championships: IOC says ‘no solution’ to gymnasts row between Israel and Indonesia but sport should be ‘safe space’ for athletes

The International Olympic Committee said the sport should remain a “safe space” after it could not find a “decision” allowing Israeli athletes to participate in the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.

Indonesia said it would not grant entry visas to the Israeli team to participate in the event, which will be held in Jakarta from October 19 to 25, due to the country’s military attack on Gaza.

The Israel Gymnastics Federation (IGF) said the decision set a “dangerous precedent” and criticized the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG).

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) earlier this week rejected a request from the Internet Governance Forum for urgent interim measures to ensure Israeli participation, or to move or cancel the event.

Any remaining hopes of resolving the impasse before the event begins on Sunday appear to have now ended after the International Olympic Committee issued a lengthy statement., external Friday.

The IOC said it had contacted the International Federation as well as the government of Indonesia and its Olympic authorities “to help facilitate a solution” but “unfortunately, no solution has been found.”

“The International Olympic Committee deeply regrets this situation, especially after the wonderful step towards reaching 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 in Indonesia – for all relevant stakeholders – at its next meeting.

He added: “Sports should remain a safe space for athletes to achieve their dreams, and athletes should not be held responsible for political decisions.”

Indonesia, the most populous Muslim country, does not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel, but the Internet Governance Forum says it has received assurances that its delegation will be welcomed.

Among the athletes unable to compete is defending world champion on floor, Artem Dolgubyat.

The 28-year-old won Olympic floor gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and silver in Paris last year. He is also a two-time European champion.

The IOC reiterated its position that “qualified athletes, teams and sports officials” should be able to compete in the competition “without any form of discrimination from the host nation” in accordance with the Olympic Charter.

She added that it is the responsibility of the host country to ensure “full respect” for this principle.

Indonesia cited its well-established political and diplomatic principles to make the decision.

During the 1962 Asian Games, Indonesia similarly banned Israeli athletes – leading to its exclusion from the 1964 Tokyo Olympics by the International Olympic Committee.

Although this ruling was overturned, Indonesia boycotted the Games.

In March 2023, Indonesia was stripped of its right to host the FIFA U-20 World Cup after the governor of Bali, where the draw was scheduled to take place, refused to host the Israeli team.

Six months later, Israel launched its offensive in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 hostages were taken to Gaza.

Since then, more than 67,000 people have been killed in the Israeli offensive, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza. Its numbers are considered reliable by the United Nations and other international bodies.

More than nine out of 10 residential buildings were damaged or destroyed, according to the United Nations.

Last month, the UN Commission of Inquiry officially declared that Israel had committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza – although Israel rejected this.

On Monday, 20 surviving Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinian detainees were reunited with their families as part of a ceasefire agreement.