Without Israel, the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships Will Still Be Held

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The Indonesian Gymnastics Federation announced that the 2025 Artistic Gymnastics World Championship will still be held in Jakarta from October 19 to 25. Regarding the rejection of Israeli athletes, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) respects the stance of the Indonesian government and is committed to continuing the global event.

The Indonesian Gymnastics Federation (FGI), as the local organizing committee, held a press conference regarding the championship for the first time at the Indonesia Arena Stadium, Jakarta, on Friday (10/10/2025). They aimed to address public questions regarding the participation of Israeli athletes and the continuity of the event.

"They (Israeli athletes) will definitely not be attending because their visas have been canceled. Furthermore, the FIG President also stated to me by phone that he supports Indonesia's decision to ensure that Israeli athletes will not attend," said FGI Chairperson Ita Yuliati in a press conference.

The issue of the presence of Israeli athlete representatives at the World Championship has become a hot topic of discussion over the past week. Various parties and segments of society have opposed the plan for their arrival, ranging from political parties, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), to the Governor of DKI Jakarta, Pramono Anung.

Culminating on Thursday, the Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra stated that he would not grant visas to six Israeli athletes. This decision aligns with the directive of the President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto and the hopes of the people.

According to Ita, they have communicated Indonesia's stance towards Israel from the beginning. However, FIG, as the owner of the event, determines regulations, registration, and participant invitations. The local organizers only prepare the technical guideline book and set up the visa registration link.

"Therefore, we, as the Indonesian federation, have never extended an invitation. This is the usual sequence of championships where the international federation holds full policy authority. We are merely the local organizers," Ita explained regarding the news about the issuance of visa sponsorship letters for Israeli athletes.

FIG President Morinari Watanabe is scheduled to arrive in Jakarta this Saturday. He will meet with FGI, formerly known as the Indonesian Gymnastics Federation (Persani), to discuss the organization and various further issues. Meanwhile, the athletes are expected to start arriving next Monday.

The Israel Gymnastics Federation has yet to respond to the disqualification of their athlete. Regarding the urgency of participation, this World Championship does not actually affect qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The qualification event will only begin next year.

Ita hopes that Indonesia's first experience hosting the Artistic Gymnastics World Championship will proceed smoothly. "It is certainly a relief for the organizers (to be able to hold it). This is a historic milestone for gymnastics in Indonesia. Indonesian athletes will also compete," she stated.

The issue of the arrival of the Israeli representative has previously posed a challenge in the organization of the 2023 U-20 World Cup and the 2023 World Beach Games. The difference is that those two events were canceled by the organizers following the rejection of Israel. This is unlike FIG, which is willing to compromise with the host.

The Chairman of the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI), Raja Sapta Oktohari, was present at the press conference. He stated that he would soon communicate with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in the near future to explain the situation and dynamics occurring ahead of the World Championship.

According to Okto, a significant decision at the World Championship has the potential to create a domino effect. One of the stakes is the opportunity to host the Olympic Youth Games 2030. Moreover, Indonesia has previously canceled its role as host for major events twice in 2023.

"This is a joint decision. We highly respect it because we are also in communication with the government. The consequences will certainly be evident after the championship, but we will continue to encourage Indonesia not only to be a participant but also to be able to host," said Okto.

Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir also supports the organization of the World Gymnastics Championship, which is being held for the first time in Southeast Asia. He appreciates KOI, FGI, and FIG for taking steps to ensure that the event runs safely and orderly.

The government's stance towards relations with Israel is very firm. This is in accordance with the President's speech at the United Nations (PBB) session last September. Prabowo emphasized that he will not recognize Israel as long as the country does not acknowledge the independence of Palestine.