Two Israeli windsurfers and their coach withdrew from the ISAF world youth sailing championships in Malaysia after they did not receive visas to travel there. Israel and Malaysia do not have diplomatic relations.
Israel Sailing Association chairman Amir Gill told the Jerusalem Post that he and the two competitors had been offered conditional visas for the Dec. 27-Jan. 3 event. Among the terms, he said, were that they could not compete under the Israeli flag, wear any symbols associated with Israel or have Israel’s national anthem played if they won.
The ISA and the Olympic Committee of Israel are considering a lawsuit against Malaysia and the International Sailing Federation. — jta