Israeli gymnasts, including reigning world floor champion Artem Dolgopyat, have been barred from participating in the upcoming World Artistic Gymnastics Championships after Indonesia refused to grant them entry visas.The decision comes amid heightened tensions over Israel’s military operations in Gaza, which have drawn widespread condemnation in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation.
The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) expressed disappointment over the situation, saying it had “worked tirelessly” to ensure all qualified athletes could compete but was “unable to secure assurances” from Indonesian authorities regarding Israel’s participation.
The championships, scheduled to take place later this month, will now proceed without the Israeli delegation, marking the latest instance of political disputes spilling into the world of sports.Israel’s Gymnastics Federation condemned the move as “discriminatory and contrary to the spirit of sport,” while urging FIG to take action to prevent similar incidents in the future.