Olympic Committee seeks ban on sporting events in Indonesia after exclusion of Israeli athletes

The International Olympic Committee says it will recommend that no international sporting events be held in Indonesia, after the country barred Israeli gymnasts from taking part in a world championship there last week.

In a statement, the IOC says that Indonesia’s actions undermine the “fundamental principles of non-discrimination, autonomy and political neutrality that govern the Olympic Movement.”

Moving forward, the IOC says that it will “end any form of dialogue” with Indonesia about it hosting “Olympic Games, Youth Olympic Games, Olympic events or conferences” until the country promises to allow “all participants, regardless of nationality, to attend.” In addition, the IOC says that it will tell all international sporting federations not to host “any international sports events or meetings in Indonesia.”

Yael Arad, the head of the Olympic Committee of Israel, welcomes the announcement and thanks the IOC for standing “firm against malicious attempts to disrupt global sports.” She vows that Israeli athletes will “continue to appear on the major, significant stages and we will continue — as at the Paris Olympic Games – to bring to light the Israeli excellence of our wonderful athletes.”