« Politics has no place in sport. " This is the message sent by Spyros Capralos on Sunday in response to the absence of an Israeli delegation at the World Gymnastics Championships, a consequence of Indonesia's refusal to issue visas. In a statement, the president of European Olympic Committees believes that the Indonesian government's decision is " a blatant act of discrimination. It constitutes a direct violation of the fundamental principles of international sport : equality, neutrality and respect between nations. »
« Indonesia's behavior in recent years underlines the need to take stronger measures, according to the Greek. After the cancellation of the 2023 World Beach Games (The Indonesian Olympic Committee withdrew a month before the event, editor's note), in another breach of its international commitments, the country has still not compensated the Association of National Olympic Committees for the losses suffered. Today, by refusing entry to its Israeli athletes, Indonesia once again shows that it does not respect the spirit or responsibilities of a global sports hostIf we allow discrimination and political interference to continue unchecked, we risk eroding the very foundations of international sport. »
The IOC, who also reacted, for its part announced that its executive committee " will address the specific situation of Indonesia at its next meeting ».
