Malaysia may face sports isolation if it continues with its policy to refuse to allow athletes from certain nations to compete at major events they are hosting for political reasons.
The Jerusalem Post has reported that in a letter to it’s members, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has made it clear that to prevent countries, who breach the Olympic Charter, from hosting major events if they continue with their biased policies.
Malaysia’s decision to stop the Israeli squash team from taking part in the abandoned World Squash Team Championship is among the reason why the IOC had come up with the ruling.
It is reported that the IOC had also referred to the Serbian Government’s decision to prevent Kosovo from competing at the World Boxing Championships in Belgrade in October and November.
The ruling means that international sports federations must now make sure all countries can compete in their tournaments.
“We urge all [international federations] to be extremely vigilant when allocating and organizing international sports competitions,” IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell and Director of Olympic Solidarity James Macleod wrote in the letter.
The IOC said the heads of sports federations must make sure to receive written assurances from the governments hosting tournaments that all eligible athletes and teams will be able to compete and be treated equally without any political discrimination, and to make sure those assurances are implemented.
The IOC said it plans to work with the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) and the National Olympic Committee of Serbia to come up with a long-term solution with their governments.
“Failing which such countries would, unfortunately, exclude themselves from the right to host international sports events until all the necessary assurances can be obtained and respected.”
Following these guidelines is part of “the fundamental principles which govern the Olympic Movement,” the letter stated.
The Men’s World Team Squash Championship, set to be held in Malaysia earlier this month, was canceled after the country did not allow Israeli athletes to compete, and the Israel Squash Association turned to arbitration to try to force the World Squash Federation to move the tournament.
Malaysia does not have diplomatic ties with Israel and its citizens are barred from visiting the country.
In 2019, Malaysia was stripped of the right to host the World Para Swimming Championships for threatening to refuse Israeli athletes, and the competition was moved to London.
Malaysia has in the past taken pride in being a great sports host and the existing government policy would be detrimental to Malaysia’s hopes of hosting future tournaments.