CAS rejects Israeli Gymnastics Federation appeals after Indonesia bans participation in World Championship

LAUSANNE, Dec. 14 (YPA) – The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has rejected two appeals filed by the Israeli Gymnastics Federation seeking permission to compete in the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships scheduled to take place in Jakarta, Indonesia, next week.

The Swiss-based court also dismissed Israel’s request to compel the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) to either guarantee its participation or cancel/relocate the tournament.

The dispute arose after Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation and a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause, announced last week that it would not grant visas to the Israeli gymnasts. This decision followed intense popular and political opposition to the planned participation.

CAS stated that the FIG confirmed it has no authority over Indonesia’s visa policies. Furthermore, despite the visa denial, the FIG did not threaten to withdraw the hosting rights from Indonesia, contrary to what is stipulated in its statutes for such cases.

YPA