The Executive Committee of the European Gymnastics decides to cancel the European Artistic Gymnastics Championships in ‘Israel’.
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Petra Furac of Croatia competes in the Women’s Balance Beam during the European Gymnastics Championships in Munich, Germany, on Thursday, August 11, 2022. (AP)
The 2025 European Championships in Artistic Gymnastics will no longer be hosted by “Israel” due to the “current situation,” the executive committee of European Gymnastics (EG) said on Monday, in reference to the war in Gaza.
Several international sporting events have moved out of the region since the war on Gaza started, including the European Water Polo Championships of 2024.
The EG announced that it has reopened the bidding process for hosting the 11th edition of the continental gymnastics championships. Member federations are invited to submit their bids by April 23. “We acknowledge the efforts done by the Israeli Gymnastics Federation, the excellent host of several European Championships in the past 8 years,” EG said in a statement.
On March 21, the Palestine Football Association (PFA) called on football’s international governing body, FIFA, to sanction Israeli teams over the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. The PFA asked for its proposal, which it said six other member nations had endorsed, to be on the agenda at FIFA’s upcoming congress in May.
The Israeli occupation entity’s football association responded to the petition by claiming it had “always followed FIFA regulations and always will.” The PFA’s statement pointed out that “the loss of innocent lives, including no less than 99 footballers” and the “destruction of residential units… are clear violations of international laws.”
In January, “Israel” was banned from competing in the International Ice Hockey Federation’s world championship competitions for what the federation coined “security concerns.”
In a statement issued on January 11, the IIHF said after extensive contemplation of possible risks and discussions with participating countries and hosts, it was decided that the Israeli team would not be participating “until the safety and well-being of all participants (including Israeli participants) can be assured.”
The duration of “Israel’s” suspension was left unclear, with IIHF saying it was “for the time being.”
