Denying Visas To Athletes On Political Grounds Violates Olympic Charter, May Risk Future Hosting Rights
Non-Discrimination Principle
The Charter prohibits discrimination based on nationality, ensuring all qualified athletes can participate in international competitions, regardless of political relations between countries.
Political Neutrality of Sport
The Olympic Movement emphasises autonomy and independence from political interference. Denying visas on political grounds violates this principle.
Impact on Future Hosting Rights
International Precedent
There are many precedents of IOC sanctions on India. India denied visas to athletes from Kosovo in 2018 for participation in the World Boxing Championship 2018. India denied visas to 2 athletes and one official from Pakistan for participation in the ISSF Rifle/Pistol World Cup in 2019.
The International Olympic Committee, in its letter on 21.2.2019, informed that its Executive Board took the following decisions:
(i) Suspend all discussions with the Indian NOC and government regarding potential applications for hosting future events and Olympic-related events in India until clear written guarantees are obtained from the Indian government to ensure the entry of all participants in events in full compliance with the rules of the Olympic Charter.
(ii) Revoke the Olympic qualification status of the specific event (men's 25-metre Rapid Fire Pistol)
(iii) Recommend that international federations neither award nor hold sports events in India until guarantees are obtained.
There are a few international precedents as well. In the 2019 World Para Swimming Championships, Malaysia denied visas to Israeli athletes. The IPC stripped Malaysia of hosting rights, reinforcing the expectation that hosts must allow entry to all qualified athletes. The event was moved to London, and the IPC reaffirmed its commitment to inclusivity and the separation of sport and politics
The United Arab Emirates in 2009 denied a visa to Israeli tennis player Shahar Pe'er in the Dubai Tennis Championships. The WTA fined Dubai organisers and required future compliance. The following year, visas were granted after international pressure.
India at the 2019 ISSF World Cup denied visas to Pakistani shooters post-Pulwama attack. The IOC suspended India's right to host Olympic qualifiers until assurances were given for future non-discrimination.
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Here's what the order of throw is going to look like: Sahil Silwal (India) Rohit Yadav (India) Martin Konecny (Czech Republic) Thomas Rohler (Germany) Yashvir Singh (India) Julius Yego (Kenya) Sachin Yadav (India) Rumesh Pathirage (Sri Lanka) Cyprian Mrzyglod (Poland) Luiz Mauricio Da Silva (Brazil) Curtis Thompson (USA) Neeraj Chopra (India) Neeraj Chopra: Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has already etched his name in the history books by becoming the first track and field athlete from the country to win an Olympic gold medal. He is also a world champion - India's first-ever in senior athletics - and a Diamond League winner, also a first by any Indian. His personal best is 90.23m. Sachin Yadav: Sachin holds a personal best of 85.16m. The Asian Championships silver medallist recently secured gold medals at both Federation Cup and the National Games this year. Rohit Yadav: The 24-year-old Rohit, with a personal best of 83.40m achieved in 2023, underwent surgery that year and returned to competition subsequently. He claimed a silver medal at the National Games 2025 with 80.47m. Sahil Silwal: Sahil, 24, represents another promising talent in the 80m category, holding a personal best of 81.81m from his gold-winning performance at last year's National Inter-State Championships. He secured third position at the Federation Cup with a 77.84m throw. He won the gold medal at the Winckelmann Games 2024 athletics meet in Germany with a 75.36m throw. Yashvir Singh: Yashvir Singh has a personal best of 82.57m, which came at the 2025 Asian Championships in Gumi, Korea. Yashvir first came into limelight when he rewrote Neeraj Chopra's U-20 Fed Cup meet record in 2021 with a 78.68m throw. Thomas Rohler (Germany): Germany's Thomas Rohler is 2016 Olympics champion and one of the sport's all-time greats. His personal best is 93.90m. Julius Yego (Kenya): The Kenyan athlete Yego, who is a 2015 World champion and 2016 Olympic silver medallist, has been trailblazing javelin's rise in Africa. His personal best is 92.72m. Curtis Thompson (USA): Curtis Thompson is a top-ranked American javelin thrower, Pan American Games champion (2023) and a consistent performer on the Diamond League circuit with a personal best of 87.76m. Martin Konecny (Czech Republic): Martin Konecny is a 27-year-old javelin thrower from the Czech Republic. He has established himself as a competitive athlete in the javelin, with his personal best record being 80.59 meters, achieved in 2025. Konecny has participated in various international competitions, including the European Athletics Championships, where he qualified for the final in 2022, finishing in 12th place. He is a notable figure in Czech javelin throwing and has been consistently amongst the top performers in his country. Luiz Mauricio Da Silva (Brazil): A South American powerhouse with multiple podium finishes at the South American Athletics Championships across various age categories. His personal best is 86.62m. Rumesh Pathirage (Sri Lanka): A rising star from the subcontinent, Pathirage recently set a new national record and claimed gold at the Asian Throwing Championships last year. His personal best is 85.45m. Cyprian Mrzygod (Poland): The 27-year-old Polish athlete, Cyprian, is European U23 champion, winning the gold medal in 2019. His personal best is 85.92 metres, set in Kuortane this year.
