Chairman of the Indonesian Olympic Committee, Raja Sapta Oktohari, stated that diplomatic relations with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarding the controversial visa cancellation of the Israeli gymnastics contingent for the 2025 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Jakarta have gone well.
"The diplomacy we conducted with the IOC went very well and the results were positive," Oktohari said in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Oktohari held an official meeting with the IOC in Lausanne, Switzerland on Tuesday (28/10) to discuss the Israeli athlete visa controversy that resulted in the IOC recommending that international federations not hold sporting events in Indonesia.
He explained that during the meeting, Indonesia conveyed the situation in Indonesia openly and diplomatically, including the government's policy of canceling visas, taking into account social conditions and ensuring the security and smooth running of the World Gymnastics Championships.
The explanation, he said, was well received by the IOC and resulted in a positive meeting point that reopened the space for communication and cooperation between the two parties.
"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 positive common ground to continue constructive dialogue," he said.
Oktohari said communication and transparency were key to the meeting's success, as well as being the first step in the process of moving towards a shared solution.
