Iaaf to Examine Barring of Israeli Athletes in the Asian Games

The Asian Games are over but the sad memory lingers an here in Tel Aviv. Israeli sports authorities are disappointed bitterly that the local athletes were not invited because of so-called security reasons.

Although it comes as no solace, the local Asian Games Federation committee has been advised by John B. Holt of London, General Secretary of the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF), that on Jan. 19 a council meeting will be held in London to examine the consequences insofar as they affect the athletes who took part and the member federations who authorized their participation in the Games.

The IAAF did not issue a permit previously for the Games to proceed which meant participating athletes concerned, automatically became ineligible for the Moscow Olympic Games in 1980. As stipulated in Rule II in the IAAF Guide, before exercising any power under the rule involved, the council must notify the member of the alleged infringement of the rule and afford an opportunity to the member of being heard.

PLEASED WITH IAAF STEP

All federations affected, therefore, have been invited to be represented at the Jan. 19 meeting. However, for practical reasons, a proposal is being made to the Asian officers, who were present in Bangkok, to nominate a delegation which will represent all those members who will be unable to be present.

Haim Glovinsky, honorary treasurer of the Israel Olympic Committee, upon receiving notice of the hearing, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency: “We are pleased no end to witness at least one sport federation, namely, the International Amateur Athletic Federation, keep its word in attempting to punish those responsible for keeping our athletes out of the Asian Games.

“We trust that the fellow members of this august body will keep its word as to the resolution passed in Puerto Rico, earlier in the year, whereby participating athletes in the now non-sanctioned Games will be punished for their activity contrary to the IAAF’s dictate.

“Disciplinary action to be taken in London cannot make up for the disappointment suffered by our athletes. Nevertheless, the fact that the IAAF seeks to keep its word indicates to us that there still is some justice available in the sports world currently fermented by the politicizing of sports by several of the prejudiced nations around the globe.”