ISRAEL GYMNASTICS FEDERATION CAS DECISION
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has rejected two requests for provisional measures filed by the Israel Gymnastics Federation (IGF) in relation to the 53rd Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Jakarta, being held from 19–25 October 2025).
On 10 October 2025, the Indonesian government stated that Israeli athletes due to participate would not be granted visas. The IGF subsequently filed two appeals to CAS, together with requests for urgent provisional measures.
The first appeal lodged on 10 October 2025 was against the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) requesting the annulment of the FIG statement, issued the same day, that it was “taking note” of the Indonesia’s decision not to issue visas to the Israeli delegation. The IGF argued that the FIG Executive Committee was required to render a decision when visas were denied to a delegation and that, failing to do so, was a denial of justice and discriminatory. The FIG responded that visa issuance lies exclusively with the Indonesian authorities and falls outside the FIG powers or competence. This appeal was terminated for lack of jurisdiction.
A second appeal, filed on 13 October 2025 was lodged jointly with six Israeli athletes against the FIG and requested that CAS orders FIG to take the necessary measurements to guarantee Israeli participation or, alternatively, to relocate or cancel the championships. CAS rejected the request for urgent provisional measures; the appeal on the merits remains pending.
The IGF lamented the outcome, with its secretary general calling it a “dangerous precedent” for sports.
The gymnastics spat is the latest example of how the global backlash against Israel over the humanitarian toll of the war in Gaza has spread into the arenas of sports and culture. Israel’s critics argue that it should be sidelined from international events just like Russia has been since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Provisional measures before CAS are granted in exceptional cases. Under Article R37 of the CAS Code of Sports-related Arbitration, the applicant must establish, cumulatively, prima facie CAS jurisdiction, a risk of irreparable harm, the likelihood of success on the merits of the claim and that the balance of interests – that is, whether the interests of the applicant outweigh those of the respondent(s)) – favours interim relief.
If the “provisional measures” sought in the present cases had been granted, the Israeli athletes would have been allowed to participate in the world championships, pending the outcome of the CAS appeal proceedings.
The second appeal case remains under review, and the Israeli athletes are barred from competing in this sporting event.
For further information, email Kim Gamboni at gamboni@valloni.ch.