Israeli gymnasts barred from competing at World Championships

Indonesia has blocked Israeli gymnasts from competing at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Jakarta, which is set to begin on Sunday, 19 October, amid outcry over Israel’s military offensive in Gaza.

The government’s decision to deny visas prevents Israeli athletes, including defending world floor champion and 2020 Olympic gold medallist Artem Dolgopyat, from competing alongside top athletes from over 86 nations.

The decision has been appealed by the Israeli Gymnastics Federation on two occasions

Indonesia’s senior minister of law, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, confirmed on 9 October that the team will not be allowed into the country. He said: ‘The government will not grant visas to Israeli gymnasts who intend to attend the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Jakarta’.

The decision has been appealed by the Israeli Gymnastics Federation (IGF) on two occasions, through appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), requesting measures to ensure Israeli participation in the championships.

However, in a statement on Tuesday, 14 October, CAS confirmed: ‘The requests for urgent provisional measures were considered by the deputy president of the CAS Appeals Arbitration Division. Both requests have been rejected’.

Six gymnasts, including Artem Dolgopyat, submitted requests to CAS alongside the IGF.

Dolgopyat said on Instagram: ‘We are deeply concerned by the recent decisions that could negatively impact the future of all our delegations and the future of sport in general’.

He added: ‘We continue this fight, hoping to achieve justice, but unfortunately, we will no longer be able to compete in these World Championships’.

Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, has no formal diplomatic ties with Israel. The decision is in line with the nation’s long-standing pro-Palestine stance.

In 2023, Indonesia was stripped of its host position for the football Under-20 World Cup after the governor of Bali refused to host the Israeli team.

The country also refused entry visas for Israeli athletes for the 1962 Asian Games and was subsequently banned from the 1964 Olympic Games. Despite this ruling being overturned, Indonesia boycotted the Games over Israel’s participation.

The Secretary General of the MUI, Indonesia’s highest Islamic body, Amirsyah Tambunan said: ‘By refusing to allow Israeli athletes to compete in the sporting arena, we want to state that all forms of colonialism must be abolished because they are contrary to humanity and justice’.

Some critics believe that Israel should be excluded from international sport in a similar way to Russia

Israel’s most recent campaign in Gaza began in October 2023, after an attack by Hamas during which 1200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage. Since then, Israel has killed over 67,000 Palestinians.

The controversy surrounding their participation in the championships is another example of how Israel’s conduct in Gaza has influenced the world of sport. Earlier this month for example, the final stage of Vuelta a España was disrupted by pro-Palestine protestors due to the participation of team Israel-Premier Tech.

Some critics believe that Israel should be excluded from international sport in a similar way to Russia since its invasion of Ukraine. Amongst these figures is Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who in September, called for Israel to be excluded from international sport due to its actions in Gaza.