The International Amateur Athletic Federation has warned members that it will disqualify competitors in the Asian Games in Djakarta, Indonesia, because of the exclusion by the Indonesians of the Israeli and Nationalist China sport teams. The South Korean Field and Track team was the first to heed the warning and withdrew from the competition.
The Japanese team, considered likely victors in the Games, were discussing today with Japanese embassy officials in the Indonesian capital on whether they should continue their participation. Japan is concerned at the possible effect on the Olympic Games which are scheduled for Tokyo in 1964. If Japan withdraws, it is expected that the majority of other countries will withdraw from the Games too.
Dr. Otto Mayer, chancellor of the International Olympic Committee, has announced that his organization has withdrawn its patronage from the Asian Games in protest at the Indonesians’ exclusion of Israel and Nationalist China. The International Weight-lifting Federation and the Asian Games Federation Council have also voiced their protests. Israel was officially invited by the Indonesian sports federation but was later refused entry visas by the Indonesian authorities, under Arab pressure.
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