FIG President Comments on Visa Denial for Israeli Gymnasts
The president of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), Morinari Watanabe, addressed the growing controversy surrounding the Indonesian government’s refusal to grant visas to the Israeli national gymnastics team. His comments came during a press conference on Saturday morning, coinciding with the 53rd FIG Gymnastics World Championships set to begin in Jakarta on Sunday.
Watanabe expressed his agreement with the concerns raised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in a statement released the previous day. He emphasized that “sports is separate from politics” and that all athletes deserve equal rights to participate in sports events, a sentiment he believes the IOC and FIG must uphold for the integrity of the Olympic Charter.
He also noted that FIG “deeply regrets” the inability to safeguard the rights of Israeli gymnasts but acknowledged the Indonesian government’s decision while emphasizing that it was based on ensuring the safety of all athletes, not political matters.
“We have been informed that this measure aims to protect athletes, including those from one country, as well as the local population,” Watanabe stated. FIG Secretary-General Nicolas Buonpane mentioned that the organization was aware of potential security threats from groups opposed to the Israeli delegation’s participation.
Buonpane remarked, “It’s true that there are groups in Indonesia unhappy about the Israeli team attending and who have made threats. This reality is being taken very seriously.” He pointed out recent incidents involving the Israeli team at other international sporting events, such as protests during the Tour de Spain that halted the event.
When asked whether the Indonesian government’s actions violated FIG regulations, Buonpane seemed to suggest it wasn’t a straightforward violation, indicating that considerations for safety were also significant. He mentioned, “It’s complex, and although it could be seen as a violation, we are also aware of other regulations that must be balanced.”
The IOC’s statement explicitly criticized Indonesia, affirming that all qualified athletes must be allowed to participate in international competitions, free from discrimination by host countries.
Furthermore, the IOC plans to discuss the situation with Indonesian officials at their upcoming meeting, emphasizing the need for sports to be a safe environment for athletes, disconnected from political issues. In a related note, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) declined Israel’s request for intervention in this matter.
The Israel Gymnastics Federation responded to the sanctions, asserting that Indonesia’s decision is a blatant breach of the regulations, damaging the core principles of fair play and affecting the morale of their gymnasts who have worked hard for this competition.
Earlier, Indonesia lost the opportunity to host the U-20 World Cup when local officials refused entry to the Israeli football team, highlighting ongoing tensions.
