Court of Arbitration for Sport rejects Israel’s effort to compete in gymnastics world event
The sports court also turned down a request to cancel or move the Indonesia-hosted tournament, which will start on Sunday in Jakarta
Israel’s gymnasts will not be able to compete at the upcoming world championships in Indonesia after sport’s highest court on Tuesday rejected requests from the Israeli federation (IGF) to “guarantee the participation” of its team.
Indonesian authorities denied Israeli gymnasts entry visas for the championships later this month, before the IGF demanded the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) either guarantee its athletes’ presence or force a move or cancellation of the event.
The Israeli federation claimed the entry denials created “a situation of discrimination”, but the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) said it had no jurisdiction to force Indonesia to issue visas.
“The requests for urgent provisional measures were considered by the deputy president of the CAS Appeals Arbitration Division. Both requests have been rejected,” CAS said in a statement.
The October 19-25 championships, in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation, are expected to feature more than 500 athletes from 79 countries.
Israeli athletes were reportedly among those set to compete, but a cabinet minister said on Thursday the government would not allow them entry, citing support for Palestinians.