New Delhi: Israeli gymnasts, including the reigning world floor champion Artem Dolgopyat, will not take part in next week’s World Artistic Championships after hosts Indonesia refused to issue visas to the team. The decision has triggered outrage from the Israel Gymnastics Federation (IGF) and has raised questions over the role of international sports bodies in ensuring equal participation.
Indonesia’s government confirmed it would not allow Israeli athletes to enter the country, citing the ongoing military offensive in Gaza. The move has effectively barred Dolgopyat and his teammates from competing in the event, which begins Sunday and runs until October 25.
The IGF filed an urgent appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to compel the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) to intervene. However, CAS rejected the request on Tuesday, saying FIG had no authority over visa decisions made by national governments.
Israeli gymnasts will not compete at next week’s World Artistic Gymnastics Championships after Indonesia denied them entry to the country. pic.twitter.com/OKuZ2TN1X1
— BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) October 14, 2025
CAS dismisses appeal, IGF calls it discrimination
In a statement, CAS said the Indonesian government’s decision “falls outside the competence” of FIG, leaving the federation powerless to ensure Israeli participation. The IGF expressed disappointment over the ruling, calling it a “denial of justice” and accusing it of falling to uphold fair competition standards.
“The rules are clear, and Indonesia’s actions are a blatant violation of them,” the IGF said. “It is inconceivable that a country can bar another nation from competing in a World Championship while governing bodies stand by. This decision undermines the very foundations of sport.”
Dolgopyat speaks out on exclusion
The Olympic gold in Tokyo and silver in Paris winner, Dolgopyat, voiced his frustration on social media, saying he and his teammates were devastated. “We are deeply concerned by these decisions that could harm the future of all delegations and the spirit of sport itself,” he wrote. “We continue to fight for justice, but sadly we won’t be able to compete this time.”
The 28-year-old was among six gymnasts, along with Eyal Indig, Ron Pyatov, Lihie Raz, Yali Shoshani and Roni Shamay, who jointly filed the appeal with CAS.
Indonesia’s history of sport boycott
This isn’t the first time Indonesia has faced backlash over its stance toward Israeli participation. In 2023, FIFA stripped the country of hosting rights for the Under-20 World Cup after officials refused to host Israel’s team. Decades earlier, Indonesia was banned from the 1964 Olympics for a similar visa refusal during the Asian Games.
Indonesia, which has no formal diplomatic ties with Israel, maintains that its decision reflects solidarity with Palestinians amid the Gaza conflict. But for Dolgopyat and his teammates, the denial means missing one of the sport’s biggest stages and a moment they spent years preparing for.