Indonesia’s refusal to allow Israeli gymnasts to compete at the upcoming Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Jakarta has sent shockwaves through the international sports community, reigniting debates about the intersection of politics and athletics. The decision, announced on October 9, 2025, comes just days before the championships are set to begin on October 19, and has left Israel’s participation—particularly that of Olympic gold medalist and defending world champion Artem Dolgopyat—hanging in the balance.
For months, anticipation had been building for the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships, with 86 countries registered to compete in Jakarta. Israel’s delegation, highlighted by Dolgopyat’s presence in the men’s floor exercise, was among the most watched. But as the event drew near, controversy erupted in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation and a country with a long-standing policy of supporting the Palestinian cause.
Despite a recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, opposition to Israeli participation in the championships intensified across Indonesia. Politicians, moderate Muslim groups, and a groundswell of social media users voiced outrage at the prospect of Israeli athletes arriving on Indonesian soil. The pressure mounted until Indonesia’s senior minister of law, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, made the government’s stance unambiguous.
“The government will not grant visas to Israeli gymnasts who intend to attend the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Jakarta,” Mahendra said in a video statement. He emphasized that the move aligned with directives from President Prabowo Subianto, who has been vocal in condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza, most recently at the United Nations General Assembly. Mahendra also revealed that the Indonesian Gymnastics Federation had initially submitted a sponsorship letter for six Israeli athletes but had since withdrawn it, effectively blocking their entry.
Israel’s gymnastics federation, for its part, expressed surprise at the reversal. Back in July, they had received assurances from Indonesian officials that their athletes would be welcome at the championships—a promise that now appears to have been rescinded in the face of mounting domestic opposition.
The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) responded on October 10 with a notably muted statement. “The FIG takes note of the Indonesian government’s decision not to issue visas to the Israeli delegation registered for the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics, which will be held in Jakarta from 19-25 October, and recognizes the challenges that the host country has faced in organizing this event,” the governing body said. There was no mention of disciplinary action or threats to relocate the event, despite FIG statutes that allow for such measures when host nations refuse visas to registered athletes.
Instead, the FIG voiced hope for a more inclusive future: “The FIG hopes that an environment will be created as soon as possible where athletes around the world can enjoy sports safely and with peace of mind.” The statement stopped short of criticizing Indonesia or offering any immediate remedy for the Israeli team’s exclusion.
Indonesian officials stood firm in their decision. Raja Sapta Oktohari, president of the Indonesian Olympic Committee, told a news conference, “We respect every decision taken by the government with various considerations.” Meanwhile, Ita Yuliati, chairwoman of the Indonesian Gymnastics Federation, stated she had informed FIG president Morinari Watanabe of the decision and claimed, “the FIG has expressed support.”
The controversy adds another chapter to Indonesia’s complex relationship with international sports, especially when Israel is involved. Just last year, Indonesia lost the right to host the 2023 Under-20 Soccer World Cup after similar political turmoil erupted over the participation of Israeli teams. FIFA, the global soccer governing body, ultimately awarded Indonesia hosting rights for a different youth tournament later that year—one for which Israel had not qualified. The episode fueled debate about the balance between political principles and the spirit of global sportsmanship.
For Israeli athletes, the Jakarta championships were to be a stage for both athletic achievement and international recognition. Artem Dolgopyat, who won Olympic gold in Tokyo and is the reigning world champion in the men’s floor exercise, was expected to be a major contender. Now, his and his teammates’ dreams of competing in Jakarta have been dashed, at least for the time being.
This is not the first time that geopolitics has cast a shadow over a major sporting event. The global backlash against Israel over the humanitarian toll of the conflict in Gaza has increasingly spilled into arenas far removed from the battlefield. Sports and culture have become battlegrounds for broader international disputes, with athletes sometimes caught in the crossfire.
Supporters of Indonesia’s decision argue that it is consistent with the nation’s longstanding foreign policy and reflects the will of its people. Critics, however, contend that barring athletes on the basis of nationality undermines the unifying power of sport and the principles of fair play that international competitions are meant to uphold.
“We hope for a day when all athletes can participate without fear or prejudice,” the FIG’s statement concluded, echoing a sentiment shared by many in the global gymnastics community. But for now, that day seems a distant prospect in Jakarta.
As the opening of the championships approaches, uncertainty lingers. Will there be any last-minute diplomatic breakthroughs? Could pressure from other nations or international sports bodies prompt a reversal? Or will the event proceed without the Israeli team, leaving a conspicuous gap in the lineup and a lingering sense of controversy?
The world will be watching Jakarta closely as the championships unfold. For now, the focus remains not just on athletic excellence, but on the powerful—and sometimes divisive—role that sports can play in the global political arena.
With the championships set to begin on October 19, the international gymnastics community, athletes, and fans alike are left to grapple with the far-reaching implications of Indonesia’s decision. The action in the arena may be spectacular, but the story outside it is proving just as dramatic.
