**Summary: Indonesian Government Denies Visas to Israeli Gymnastics Team, Drawing International Criticism and Sparking Debate Over Politics in Sports**
In a move that has sparked international controversy and reignited the debate over the intersection of politics and sports, the Indonesian government has denied visas to the Israeli national gymnastics team, effectively barring them from participating in the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Jakarta. The decision, made just ahead of the event’s opening on Sunday, has drawn sharp criticism from international sporting bodies and raised concerns about the future of global sports competitions in politically sensitive environments.
**FIG President Responds: Regret and the Challenge of Athlete Safety**
Morinari Watanabe, President of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), addressed the issue at a press conference on Saturday morning. He expressed his agreement with the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) statement, which condemned the Indonesian government’s action and emphasized the principle of non-discrimination in sports. Watanabe stated, “Sports is separate from politics. All athletes have an equal right to participate in the sports event. The IOC and FIG must protect that right. This is for the Olympic charter we are writing.”
Watanabe voiced the FIG’s “deep regret” over the inability to protect the rights of the Israeli athletes in this instance, but also acknowledged the complexities involved. He explained that the Indonesian government justified its decision as a measure to ensure the safety of all participating athletes and the public in Jakarta, rather than as a politically motivated act. “We have heard from the Indonesian government that this was a measure of ensuring safety of participating athletes, including one country's athletes, and also people of the city, Jakarta city, so the reason is not political, this is what we are hear[ing],” Watanabe said.
**Security Concerns Cited Amid Rising Tensions**
FIG Secretary General Nicolas Buompane elaborated on the security risks cited by Indonesian authorities. According to Buompane, the organization had been made aware of threats from groups within Indonesia opposed to the presence of the Israeli delegation. “It's true that there have been some groups here in Indonesia that were not happy to see the delegation of Israel coming and then made threats. So this is something that has been taken into account seriously,” he stated.
Buompane pointed to recent incidents at other international sporting events involving Israeli teams, such as pro-Palestinian protests at the Tour de Spain and disruptions at soccer matches, as examples of the volatility that can surround Israeli participation. These concerns, he indicated, played a significant role in the decision to deny visas, as the organizers prioritized the overall safety and security of all participants. “What about the security of all participants? This is also something we commit to in our statutes, to ensure the security of all participants. So it's a difficult one. And when we look at the last weeks, there were several events that happen,” Buompane said.
**Balancing Statutes: Inclusion vs. Security**
The FIG leadership was questioned about whether Indonesia’s decision violated the federation’s statutes, which call for equal treatment and non-discrimination for all national delegations. Buompane conceded that the situation was “a violation in a way,” but argued that the FIG also has statutes prioritizing participant safety, which must be weighed alongside inclusion and equality. “You cannot just extract one article, which is the one everybody's pointing out at this moment in time, because there are others that will help us defend ourselves,” he explained.
This balancing act—between upholding the principles of non-discrimination and ensuring the safety of athletes—has placed the FIG in a difficult position. The organization maintains that it did everything possible to find a solution but ultimately faced insurmountable obstacles. “The last days have been difficult, but we did everything we could, especially the president, non-stop, trying to find solution whatsoever, and then at a certain point you end in a situation where there is nothing more you can do,” Buompane said.
**IOC Condemns Indonesia’s Actions, Calls for Accountability**
The International Olympic Committee issued a strongly worded statement on Friday, making its position unequivocally clear. “The IOC’s principled position is very clear: All eligible athletes, teams and sports officials must be able to participate in international sports competitions and events without any form of discrimination from the host country, in accordance with the Olympic Charter and the fundamental principles of nond