Israeli national gymnastics team athletes Lihie Raz and Eyal Indig have spoken out about the recent denial of their team’s visa to enter Indonesia for the 2025 World Gymnastics Championships. The Indonesian government’s decision to revoke their team’s visa has left them unable to participate in the event, raising questions about the reasons behind the visa denial.
Raz and Indig expressed their frustration with the situation, stating that they had been working tirelessly to secure their places in the competition. They were initially granted visas but were later informed by Indonesian authorities that their team would not be allowed entry. The pair have called for transparency in the decision-making process, emphasizing the importance of international sports events and the impact of such restrictions on athletes.
The denial of the visa has sparked discussions among sports organizations and athletes about the potential effects of political tensions on international competitions. While the exact reasons for the visa decision remain unclear, the incident has highlighted the challenges faced by athletes when participating in global sporting events, particularly when host countries impose restrictions on foreign teams.