World Gymnastics championship risk cancellation after Israeli athletes barred

Indonesia’s decision to deny visas to Israeli gymnasts in the upcoming World Artistic Gymnastics championship means that the event should be cancelled, according to the rules of the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG).

UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) have written to FIG following reports of the denial of visas, after the Israeli team was set to participate in the championship in Jakarta, Indonesia, from October 19 to 25.

“Entry visas must be granted to the gymnasts/athletes and to the officials of all Member Federations,” states Article 26.4 of the FIG Statutes 2025, quoted by UKLFI in their 10 October letter to FIG’s President, Morinari Watanabe.

“In the event that this requirement is not fulfilled, the allocation of the event would be cancelled with immediate effect by the Executive Committee,” the rule continues.

UKLFI has pointed out to FIG that the Executive Committee must immediately cancel the championships, unless Indonesia revokes its decision to refuse visas.

UKLFI adds that continuing with the championships while Israel is excluded is also liable to violate rules of the International Olympic Committee and of French laws that prohibit discrimination, as well as other FIG rules prohibiting discrimination.

A spokesperson for UKLFI commented:

“There is no qualification or exception in this rule. Nor can Indonesia’s refusal to grant visas be treated as an exceptional circumstance, since it is precisely the circumstance addressed by the rule. In light of rising antisemitism and the common desire of all countries to keep sports neutral, we urge FIG to comply with its own statutes, which clearly state that gymnasts and officials of all member federations must not be excluded.”

Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim country, has cited opposition from Islamic clerics and the Jakarta government as reasons why the Israeli team has been refused visas.

UKLFI have requested a response from FIG by 6pm Paris time on 11 October 2025.

UKLFI have frequently acted to ensure that Israeli competitors are not wrongly excluded from or discriminated against in international sport competitions, for example: