On Wednesday 22 October, 2025, the International Olympic Committee’s Executive Board (EB) announced new measures to protect the rights of all athletes to participate in international competitions hosted by various countries. This decision comes after the EB expressed concerns about recent incidents of restricted access for athletes and the boycotting and cancellation of competitions due to political tensions.
In a statement released during its September meeting, the EB stated, “These actions deprive athletes of their right to compete peacefully and prevent the Olympic Movement from showing the power of sport.” The EB emphasized the importance of allowing eligible athletes, teams, and sports officials to participate in international competitions without discrimination, in accordance with the Olympic Charter’s fundamental principles of non-discrimination, autonomy, and political neutrality.
The EB specifically addressed the recent cancellation of visas for Israeli athletes by the Indonesian government for the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Jakarta. In response, the IOC EB held a remote meeting this week to discuss this specific situation and the recurring global issue of restricted access for athletes.
To prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future, the IOC EB made the following decisions:
– To cease all dialogue with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Indonesia regarding the hosting of future Olympic Games, Youth Olympic Games, Olympic events, or conferences until the Indonesian government provides adequate guarantees that all participants, regardless of nationality, will have access to the country.
– To recommend to all International Federations not to host any international sports events or meetings in Indonesia until the Indonesian government provides adequate guarantees that all participants, regardless of nationality, will have access to the country.
– To revise the Qualification Principles for the Olympic Games, requiring that International Federations include guarantees for access to the respective country for all athletes in their hosting agreements for any Olympic qualification competition around the world.
– To request that the NOC of Indonesia and the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) come to the IOC headquarters in Lausanne to discuss the situation that occurred prior to the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships.
The IOC EB also took the opportunity to remind all stakeholders in the Olympic Movement of the critical importance of free and unobstructed access to host countries for all participants in international competitions. These new measures aim to protect the rights of athletes and promote the Olympic spirit of inclusivity and fair competition.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.