Indonesia blocked Israeli gymnasts from World Championships despite security OK
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The Israel Gymnastics Federation (IGF) has confirmed that its national security team allowed its athletes to enter Indonesia for the World Gymnastics Championships last month, despite the Indonesian government blocking athletes from entering the country, citing security concerns.
An IGF spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital that the country’s security team cleared the athletes.
“We have received permission from the Israeli Security Authorities to participate in the World Championships, subject to the necessary security protocols. From our perspective, all preparations have been completed – Registration process, Entry Visas to Indonesia and approval from the Israeli Security Authorities,” the IGF said. he said.
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Silver medal-winning Team Israel celebrates on the podium during the Rhythmic Gymnastics Group General Final medal ceremony on day five of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena in Paris, France, on August 10, 2024. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Israeli male gymnast Eyal Indig previously told Fox News Digital that his country’s security team gave him and his teammates permission to enter the city, citing security measures the country’s sports teams have used for decades since the 1972 Munich Olympics, when eight terrorists affiliated with the Black September group sneaked into the Olympic Village in a failed mission to take Israeli athletes hostage.
“It was very strange for us,” Indig said. “The same security did a sweep in Indonesia a week before our flight, they were in Indonesia and they allowed everything from a security standpoint. So we had full authority from the Israeli security team and you can believe me they wouldn’t allow anything that wasn’t safe. And our federation kept telling us it was safe.”
Indig later called Indonesia’s decision “a blatant case of discrimination on the basis of nationality”.
The Indonesian embassy in the United States responded to Fox News Digital’s request for comment, saying, “The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia has no further comment to share regarding this matter.”
Indonesian Sports Minister Erick Thohir had previously defended his country’s decision in a statement in the last week of October.
“We are committed to protecting security, public order and public interest when hosting every international event,” Thohir said.
ISRAELI GYMNASTICS TEAM SPEAKING AFTER BEING BANNED FROM THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS BY THE INDONESIA GOVERNMENT
Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country and has long been a staunch supporter of the Palestinians. The planned participation of Israeli athletes had sparked intense opposition within the country.
Indonesia was stripped of its right to host the Under-20 World Cup after the governor of Bali refused to host the Israeli team in a match.
The IGF also condemned Indonesia’s denial in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“We consider the decision to bar the Israeli National Gymnastics Team from participating in the World Championships in Indonesia as both outrageous and deeply disturbing to the integrity of international sport,” the statement said. “This decision is completely contrary to the fundamental principles of sport and fair competition and represents a dangerous and slippery slope towards the exclusion of athletes for political, religious or social reasons.
“Behind these words are athletes who have dedicated their lives to excellence. They have trained tirelessly and, like all other gymnasts, deserve an equal chance to showcase their talents.
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Team Israel will compete in the Rhythmic Gymnastics Group General Final on the fifteenth day of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on August 10, 2024 at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena in Paris, France. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
“By allowing the Israeli delegation to be excluded, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has effectively given the Indonesian government the approval it sought. But we will not remain silent. The Israel Gymnastics Federation and the Israeli Olympic Committee have appealed to CAS and we hope to receive a clear and definitive decision that will prevent this from happening again.”
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is recommending that no international sporting events be held in Indonesia after the Israeli national gymnastics team was banned from the world championships in Jakarta. Additionally, the IOC is ending all talks with Indonesia about hosting the Olympics in the future.
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