The world of international sport has been rocked by a sweeping decision from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which, in a move with far-reaching implications, has suspended all dialogue with Indonesia regarding its Olympic ambitions. This comes on the heels of Indonesia’s controversial ban on Israeli gymnasts from the ongoing Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Jakarta—a decision that has not only sidelined elite athletes but also triggered a cascade of sporting and diplomatic repercussions.
The controversy erupted in mid-October 2025, as the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships began in Jakarta. Israeli athletes, including two-time Olympic floor medallist and defending world champion Artem Dolgopyat, were denied visas to enter Indonesia. The Indonesian government cited Israel’s military offensive in Gaza as the rationale for the ban, a stance that has been met with both domestic support and international condemnation.
The immediate fallout was swift. On October 22, the IOC’s Executive Board announced that all discussions regarding Indonesia’s bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games—or any future Olympic events—were to be suspended indefinitely. In a strongly worded statement, the IOC emphasized, “All eligible athletes, teams and sports officials must be able to take part in international sports competitions and events without any form of discrimination by the host country.” The committee further stipulated that the suspension would remain in place until the Indonesian government could provide “adequate guarantees that it will allow access to the country for all participants, regardless of nationality, to attend.”
But the IOC’s response didn’t stop there. In an unprecedented step, the governing body formally recommended that all international sports federations refrain from organizing events or meetings in Indonesia. The aim? To pressure the nation to reverse its exclusionary policy and adhere to the Olympic Charter’s fundamental principles of nondiscrimination, autonomy, and political neutrality. The IOC also announced it would adapt its rules for future competitions, requiring explicit guarantees of entry for all athletes into host countries for Olympic qualifying events.
The Israeli Gymnastics Federation (IGF), which had been assured its delegation would be welcome in Jakarta, was stunned by the last-minute reversal. The IGF quickly appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), demanding either a guarantee of their athletes’ participation or the cancellation/relocation of the event. However, CAS rejected the applications for urgent interim measures, allowing the World Championships to proceed without the Israeli team. In a statement quoted by the BBC, the IGF declared, “The rules are clear, and Indonesia’s actions constitute a blatant violation of them. It is inconceivable that a country can bar another nation from competing in a World Championship while the governing bodies stand by. This decision undermines the very foundations of sport and fair competition, and it delivers a severe blow to the morale of the gymnasts and staff who have worked tirelessly for this moment.”
For the athletes themselves, the decision was devastating. Artem Dolgopyat, a global star who captured gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and silver at Paris 2024, was among those blocked from competing. Dolgopyat’s absence from the championships not only deprived the event of one of its brightest talents but also set a “dangerous precedent,” according to the IGF, highlighting the vulnerability of athletes to political disputes far beyond their control.
The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) also weighed in. FIG president Morinari Watanabe addressed the issue at the world championships, aligning with the IOC’s stance. “Sports is separate from politics. All athletes have an equal right to participate in the sports event. The IOC and FIG must protect that right. This is for the Olympic charter we are writing,” Watanabe said. He added, “At FIG, we deeply regret that we are unable to protect the rights of one country’s athletes this time. But, on the other hand, with the global situation changing, how to protect participating athletes is a challenge. We have heard from the Indonesian government that this was a measure of ensuring safety of participating athletes, including one country’s athletes, and also people of the city, Jakarta city, so the reason is not political. This is what we are hearing.”
Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation, has long been a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause and does not maintain formal diplomatic ties with Israel. The scheduled participation of Israeli athletes had sparked intense opposition within the country, resulting in the government’s decision to bar their entry. This is not the first time Indonesia has faced international sporting sanctions over its refusal to host Israeli teams; earlier this year, the country was stripped of its right to host football’s under-20 World Cup after the governor of Bali refused to host Team Israel.
The IOC’s decision has ignited debate within the global sporting community about the intersection of politics and sport. The Olympic Charter enshrines the principle that all athletes should have the opportunity to compete freely and fairly, regardless of nationality. By suspending Indonesia’s Olympic ambitions and urging a broader sporting boycott, the IOC is sending a clear message: exclusion based on nationality will not be tolerated on the world stage.
Reactions have poured in from around the globe. The president of Israel’s Olympic committee responded defiantly, stating, “Israeli athletes will continue to stand proudly on the world’s biggest stages.” Meanwhile, the IOC invited Indonesia’s National Olympic Committee and the FIG to a meeting at its Lausanne headquarters to discuss the handling of the situation and explore paths forward. The IOC also took the opportunity to remind all Olympic Movement stakeholders of the “importance of free and unfettered access to the respective country for all participants to attend international competitions without restrictions.”
This latest episode comes amid a broader pattern of restrictions faced by Israeli athletes and fans in international sport. The Israel Premier Tech cycling team was recently excluded from the Giro dell’Emilia in Italy due to concerns over pro-Palestinian protests, while UEFA and FIFA have both faced pressure to take action against Israeli teams in light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Fans of Israeli teams have also been barred from attending matches in several European cities due to security concerns.
As the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships continue in Jakarta without the Israeli delegation, the spotlight remains firmly fixed on Indonesia’s future in international sport. The IOC’s sanctions will remain in place until the Indonesian government provides the necessary assurances regarding non-discrimination and athlete access. With the world watching, the next steps taken by both Indonesia and the international sporting community could shape the landscape of global sport for years to come.
For now, Indonesia’s Olympic dreams are on ice, and the message from the IOC is unmistakable: the right to compete must be protected, no matter how turbulent the political waters may become.