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EXCLUSIVE: Israeli national team gymnasts Lihie Raz and Eyal Indig have voiced their dismay after discovering their hard work training for the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships has been jeopardized. This revelation came just days after their country reached a historic peace deal aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza.
Moments of joy were still fresh as they celebrated the return of the last remaining live hostages. Indig shared his feelings with Fox News Digital about the landmark moment, stating, “We started off the week with one of the happiest moments of the last two years, with seeing the live hostages coming back home, finally being able to half-breathe it out knowing they’re back home with us.”
However, shortly thereafter, the news broke regarding their visa denials. “It seemed like, out of nowhere,” Raz remarked, recalling the moment they learned from a news article that the Indonesian government had blocked their visas for the 2025 World Championships set to be held in Jakarta.
Raz and Indig contend that they were informed their visa applications were denied due to unspecified safety concerns from the Indonesian authorities. Indig explained, “The formal reason given by the Indonesian government was that our participation would endanger us and the other national delegations.” Yet, Indig pointed out that their own security team had previously cleared them to travel to the city after thorough assessments.
Historical Context Adds Weight to Concerns
Indig reflected on the legacy of security challenges faced in international sports, referencing the harrowing events of the 1972 Munich Olympics. In that tragic incident, terrorists from the Black September group invaded the Olympic Village, leading to the deaths of Israeli athletes and coaches. Indig asserted, “For us, it was very strange. That same security did a scan one week before our flight— they authorized everything in terms of safety. Our federation affirmed that we were safe to travel.”
Indig characterized Indonesia’s decision as a clear case of discrimination based on nationality. He expressed hope that the recent ceasefire with Hamas might lead to a reduction in cases of international sports exclusion for Israeli athletes. However, he emphasized that this incident stands independently as an example of discrimination.
A Mixed History With International Competitions
Both athletes noted they had successfully traveled to other Muslim-majority countries for competitions without any issues. They have previously participated in events hosted by nations such as Azerbaijan, Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar without incident.
In response to the situation, Fox News Digital contacted the Indonesian embassy in the U.S., the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the press bureau of President Prabowo Subianto for comments, but no replies were received.
Indonesia’s Government Weighs In
Indonesian Minister of Sport Erick Thohir publicly defended the visa denial. In a statement made in the final week of October, he reaffirmed his government’s commitment to ensuring security and order in hosting international events.
Meanwhile, the Israel Gymnastics Federation has sought recourse by filing an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). They aim to compel the International Gymnastics Federation to guarantee Israel’s participation or to relocate the event altogether. Raz and Indig maintained hope that they would eventually be allowed to participate and committed to rigorous training despite the uncertainty.
Training Amid Uncertainty
Raz described the challenging period, saying, “It was really hard. You’ve already been told that you’re not going, but they said they’re still working on it, with low chances. Nonetheless, I wanted to stay in the best shape possible for any chance to compete.” The athletes first learned of the visa denial on a Friday, with their flight set for the following Monday. In the meantime, they chose to delay their flight to give their appeal time to process. They utilized the extra day for additional training.
However, the flight was postponed again due to the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, prompting them to continue their training routine. Finally, late on the Tuesday night of October 14, CAS rejected their appeal, dashing their hopes for competition.
“After the CAS decision, there was nothing left to do, so we finally put the gloves down,” Indig reflected sorrowfully.
The IOC Responds
The International Olympic Committee swiftly condemned Indonesia’s actions regarding the visa refusals, releasing a statement criticizing the exclusion of the Israeli team. The IOC indicated it would deter any major sports events in Indonesia in the future, announcing they would halt discussions on future Olympic hosting rights for the nation.
In contrast, the gymnastics governing body appeared more sympathetic toward Indonesia. FIG President Morinari Watanabe defended the Indonesian government’s safety concerns during a press conference amid the rising global fallout.
“We were disappointed and frustrated because, for us, sports is a place that is free of politics,” Raz said, echoing her displeasure with how FIG handled the situation. “They didn’t have our backs.”
Watching from Afar
While still deeply invested in gymnastics, both Indig and Raz opted to watch the competitions from afar, where their longing to compete intensified. Raz admitted it was especially challenging to witness the events unfold, saying, “It was hard because we saw the competition, and we wanted to be there so much.” Indig found some consolation in supporting Team USA’s Donnell Whittenburg, who made history by winning gold in men’s rings after recovering from a previous injury.
The experience has also brought unexpected camaraderie. Indig received support from fellow competitors present at the event, highlighting a spirit of solidarity in the face of adversity.
Reflecting on Individual Impact
Both athletes are left to ponder how the competition results might have changed had they been allowed to participate. Raz expressed certainty that the presence of their Olympic gold medalist teammate, Artem Dolgopyat, would have altered the podium results.
Despite the setback, Raz and Indig have scheduled a vacation following the championships as a necessary respite. They journeyed through Africa, visiting Zanzibar and going on safari in Kenya, with Raz noting, “Emotionally, we were so drained. The trip was much-needed after the stress of the situation.”
Future Aspirations
Now back in training, the duo has reinvigorated their aspirations for upcoming competitions, including the World Championships in 2026, 2027, and potentially the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. They expressed confidence that their federation and the Olympic Committee of Israel are taking meaningful steps to safeguard their participation in international events.
Indig emphasized the heightened awareness surrounding their safety, stating, “We’re on high alert, and everyone is doing everything possible to ensure this situation doesn’t happen again.”
This incident underscores a troubling trend of restrictions imposed on Israeli sports teams and fans recently. The Israel Premier Tech cycling team faced exclusion from the Giro dell’Emilia due to potential protests. UEFA has also flirted with suspending Israel amid the ongoing conflict, and fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv have been banned from attending an upcoming Europa League match due to safety issues.
Stay informed with the latest updates by following Fox News Digital’s coverage.
