Indonesia blocks Israeli gymnasts from Jakarta world championships

Geopolitics strikes the world gymnastics championships once again. Indonesia, where Worlds will be held in Jakarta beginning October 19, has denied visas to the Israeli athletes. 

Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country; more than 87 percent of its 283.5 million citizens are Muslims. The country supports Palestine and a two-state solution to the ongoing war between Israel and Gaza and has no diplomatic relations with Israel. Indonesia has refused to admit Israeli athletes to sporting events since 1962. 

The Indonesian Gymnastics Federation initially submitted a sponsorship letter for the six Israeli gymnasts — three women and three men — but then withdrew it. The three women set to compete for Israel in Jakarta were Lihie Raz, Roni Shamay, and Yali Shoshani. Raz competed for Israel at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, where she was the first reserve to the vault final and finished 31st in the all-around. Raz also won Israel’s first medal at Euros in 2020, a bronze on floor. 

Want more women’s hockey content? Subscribe to The Ice Garden!
In case you missed it, The Ice Garden is now part of The IX Sports family!
The staff of The Ice Garden has paved the way for women’s hockey coverage from the college ranks to international competitions. Of course, that includes in-depth coverage of the PWHL too.

Jakarta’s governor, Pramono Anung, was quoted by the Associated Press as saying the presence of Israeli athletes at the world championships would cause “deep emotional distress” to most Indonesians. 

The FIG has never sanctioned Israel, and certainly not in the same way it did Russia and Belarus following the invasion of Ukraine. The United States has defended Israel’s inclusion in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

I do not believe that the Israeli athletes are as enmeshed in their country’s politics as are Russian and Belarusian gymnasts. Israeli citizens must serve in the military, though athletes can receive exceptions for training. Still, the level of complicity seems to be on a lesser level than other countries whose athletes have been banned.

But are Israeli athletes safe in a country that does not recognize their nation and refuses them visas? In this case, I would argue that although, it is disheartening to work towards a goal like the World Championships and not have it realized because of circumstances beyond your control, in this case, it might be best for these athletes not to fight it. The Israel-Gaza war is the latest permutation of a centuries-old conflict that may never be resolved, but it is also a case where sports may not, despite our best efforts, be able to overcome the rifts caused by politics. 

Other gym news:

The Gymternet has the Russian Championships results. 

On College Gym News, check out the Judge’s Inquiry column on Tsuk-entry vaults and the meets of our dreams. 

Mexican gymnasts are fundraising to attend worlds. If you’re so inclined, you can help out here or here. 

The FIG posted five new elements in the Code of Points that gymnasts will attempt to have named for themselves in Jakarta. Two are by women, one a leap on floor and the other a beam dismount. 

Five at The IX: GymCastic Worlds Preview:

Every year GymCastic posts a comprehensive preview of the world championships, and this week they posted their must-sees for Jakarta. It’s always an entertaining listen or watch.