IOC Punishes Indonesia for Political Discrimination, Shutting Doors on Global Sports Events

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has taken a firm stand against Indonesia’s blatant politicization of sport, recommending a halt to all international sporting events in the country after it barred Israeli athletes from competing in the recent gymnastics world championships held in Jakarta. This decisive move by the IOC underscores a fundamental principle: sports must transcend politics and discrimination. How Can Politics Justify Denying Athletes Their Rights? Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation and long-time supporter of Palestinian causes, chose to deny visas to Israeli competitors including Olympic gold medalist Artem Dolgopyat, preventing them from exercising their right to compete...