CAS rejects bid to force Indonesia to admit Israeli gymnasts

The Court of Arbitration for Sport on Tuesday rejected urgent requests from the Israel Gymnastics Federation to force Indonesia to allow its athletes to compete at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Jakarta, clearing the way for Israeli gymnasts to be excluded from the event that begins Sunday. The panel said it would not annul the International Gymnastics Federation's note acknowledging Indonesia's decision, nor compel the federation to move or cancel the championships or to secure visas for the Israeli delegation.

The Israeli federation had asked the court to order provisional measures after the Indonesian government said it would not grant entry to Israeli athletes for the Oct. 19 to 25 championships. The federation called the visa denials a discriminatory move and said it would seek every available legal remedy to allow its athletes to compete. In a statement, the federation described Indonesia's action as "outrageous and deeply troubling for the integrity of international sport."

The Swiss based court said the International Gymnastics Federation, known as FIG, told it that the organization has no authority over Indonesia's visa policies. FIG said it was taking...