International Olympic Committee at Israel's behest: Indonesia will be sanctioned

SPORTS SERVICE

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) took action after the Indonesian government refused to grant visas to the Israeli delegation. Despite the genocide in Gaza, the IOC allowed Israeli athletes to compete under its flag, and continued this stance, announcing sanctions against Indonesia.

Ahead of the 53rd Artistic Gymnastics World Championships, held in Jakarta from October 19-25, the Indonesian government had decided not to grant visas to Israeli athletes due to the genocide in Gaza. The IOC Executive Board was subsequently called to an emergency meeting.

The IOC, which previously banned Russia from the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics, forcing Russian athletes to compete only under "neutral" status, has taken a different stance on Israel this time. While the committee saw no harm in Israeli athletes participating with their flags, it chose to punish the Indonesian government.

HOMEOWNERSHIP ISSUE HAS BEEN SUSPENDED

In the statement made after the Board of Directors meeting, the following decisions regarding Indonesia were announced:

"The decision has been made to suspend any dialogue with the Indonesian National Olympic Committee regarding the hosting of future Olympic Games, Youth Olympics and similar events until the Indonesian government commits to allowing entry to the country for all participants, regardless of nationality. Furthermore, all international federations have been advised not to hold any international sporting events in Indonesia until the same guarantee is provided."

The IOC also invited the Indonesian National Olympic Committee and the International Gymnastics Federation to IOC headquarters in Lausanne to discuss the matter.

The Indonesian government's refusal to grant visas to the Israeli delegation, citing ongoing attacks in Gaza, had been widely supported in the country. However, the IOC's decision has revived criticism of "double standards" within the international sports community.