World Gymnastics and Israel settle dispute over 2025 world championships

World Gymnastics and the Israel Gymnastics Federation reached an amicable settlement over the Israeli delegation’s absence from the 2025 world championships in Jakarta. Related Court of Arbitration for Sport proceedings have ended.

The settlement was announced on October 14. The parties did not disclose its terms and said they would make no further comment on them. The announcement therefore does not establish whether compensation or other obligations form part of the agreement.

The dispute followed Indonesia’s refusal to issue visas to six Israeli gymnasts entered for the 2025 championships. The Israeli federation appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but its requests for urgent provisional measures were rejected.

Following the visa refusal, the International Olympic Committee condemned violations of non-discrimination, sporting autonomy and political neutrality. It ended talks with Indonesia over future Olympics and advised federations against holding events there until guarantees of access for all athletes were secured.

The new agreement concerns the dispute between the gymnastics federations. The announcement did not report a change to the IOC’s position on Indonesia.