Malaysia stripped of para swimming world championships because of ban on Israeli athletes
- Youth and sports minister stands by Malaysia’s decision, saying it is standing up for Palestinians who get ‘murdered, maimed and tortured’
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) on Sunday stripped Malaysia of the right to host the 2019 world para swimming championships after the country banned Israeli athletes from taking part.
The championships, a qualifier for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, had been scheduled for Kuching on the Borneo state of Sarawak between July 29 and August 4. The IPC said a new venue would be sought for the same dates, although there might have to be some flexibility in light of the circumstances.
“All World Championships must be open to all eligible athletes and nations to compete safely and free from discrimination,” said IPC president Andrew Parsons in a statement after a meeting of the IPC governing board in London.
“When a host country excludes athletes from a particular nation, for political reasons, then we have absolutely no alternative but to look for a new Championships host.”
Malaysia, a majority-Muslim country that does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel, announced this month that it would bar Israelis from any event held in the Southeast Asia nation.
Israel had condemned the ban as “shameful” and said the decision was inspired by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s “rabid anti-Semitism”.
“This is a victory of values over hatred and bigotry, a strong statement in favour of freedom and equality. Thank you @Paralympics for your brave decision,” said Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon on Twitter.
Malaysia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, said the country stood by its decision to bar Israeli athletes.