IOC Suspends Indonesia 2036 Olympic Talks Over Israeli Athlete Ban

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has imposed sanctions on Indonesia after the country barred Israeli gymnasts from participating in the 2025 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Jakarta due to the ongoing Gaza conflict. The IOC has suspended all discussions with Indonesia regarding its bid to host the 2036 Summer Olympics and recommended that international sports federations avoid holding major sporting events in Indonesia until guarantees are made to allow athletes of all nationalities to compete without discrimination. The IOC emphasized that the Olympic Charter requires host countries to ensure participation rights for all eligible athletes, criticizing Indonesia's actions as depriving athletes of their right to compete peacefully. Additionally, the IOC has updated qualification rules to mandate explicit entry guarantees for all athletes in future Olympic qualifying events. Indonesia's government justified the visa denial by citing strong domestic opposition and solidarity with Palestine, but the IOC and sports organizations have condemned the politicization of sports and are seeking assurances to uphold neutrality and nondiscrimination in international competition. Both the Indonesian Olympic Committee and the International Gymnastics Federation have been summoned to discuss the matter further at IOC headquarters in Lausanne.