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≡ INDONESIA INTRANSIGENT ≡
At last week’s 14th Olympic Summit in Lausanne, leaders of the International Olympic Committee, the International Federations and National Olympic Committee restated the need for political neutrality, noting in the posted statement of the meeting:
“The Summit also reaffirmed that athletes have a fundamental right to access sport across the world, and to compete free from political interference or pressure from governmental organisations. As role models in society, athletes have at the same time a responsibility and an obligation to respect, uphold and promote the Olympic values, before, during and after competition.”
This came on the heels of the mid-week meeting of the IOC Executive Board, and a question was sent to the IOC Press Office about the situation of the Indonesian National Olympic Committee, whose government refused to grant entry visas to the six-member Israeli team registered to compete at the FIG World Artistic Championships in Jakarta.
The Indonesian stonewall came on 10 October, the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique (now World Gymnastics) rolled over in acquiescence despite its own rules stating that the event had to be canceled, and the meet was held from 19-25 October.
The IOC issued an unhappy statement on 22 October, ending discussions about future Olympic events in Indonesia and asking International Federations not to place events there.
The Indonesian member in the IOC, Erick Thohir, the youth and sports minister, fully supported the decision not to admit the Israeli team, writing in a post:
“We at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, as representatives of the Indonesian Government, adhere to the principle of maintaining security, public order, and public interest in every international event organized. This step is in accordance with the provisions of applicable laws and regulations. This principle is also based on the 1945 Constitution, which respects security and public order, as well as the obligation of the Indonesian Government to uphold world order.
“On that basis, Indonesia has taken steps to avoid the arrival of the Israeli delegation at the Gymnastics World Championships. We understand that this decision carries consequences, wherein as long as Indonesia cannot accept the presence of Israel, the IOC has decided that Indonesia cannot host world championships, Olympic events, Youth Olympic Games, and other activities under the Olympic umbrella.”
On 28 October, an Indonesian delegation went to see the IOC in Lausanne, with NOC chief Raja Sapta Oktohari explaining afterwards that everything was fine:
“Our diplomacy with the IOC went very well and the results were positive. We provided a comprehensive understanding of the current situation, both in gymnastics and in Indonesia in general. From this meeting, we gained a breath of fresh air and a positive meeting point to continue the dialogue constructively.
“Essentially, we have succeeded in improving communication channels with the IOC. They understand Indonesia’s position, and we also understand the IOC’s responsibility to uphold the principle of non-discrimination. Now the focus is no longer on the problems that occurred yesterday, but how we move forward, today and tomorrow, to build a joint solution.”
It’s not fine.
While it did not come up in the post-IOC Executive Board news conference, the IOC Press Office was asked about the progress of the discussions with the Indonesians. The reply was short and to the point:
“The IOC held meetings with World Gymnastics and the NOC of Indonesia to discuss the events which happened in October. So far, the IOC has not received the requested guarantees from the government.”
An inquiry about any disciplinary actions against Thohir or World Gymnastics President (and IOC member) Morinari Watanabe of Japan – who was part of the Olympic Summit – went unanswered.
So nothing has changed.
Observed: This is a real test for the IOC. Thohir, as a minister in the Indonesian government, takes the position that “security needs” required Israel to be refused entry, in direct contradiction to the IOC’s standing policy.
Watanabe, and his federation, threw up their hands and said the show must go on.
Why are they both still IOC members in good standing? And why should the IOC continue to support World Gymnastics, or recognize the Indonesian National Olympic Committee?
At present, it’s not much of an issue with the Milan Cortina Olympic Winter Games coming on quickly and winter sport now in a frenzy of activity. But soon enough, that Games will be over, and the question about IOC leadership in sport will be asked, looking ahead to Los Angeles in 2028.
Indonesia created the latest bad precedent; taking Oktohari at his word in October, what is Indonesia’s contribution to a joint solution? Per the IOC, zero at present.
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