Indonesia's Controversial Games

[Craig]

The 4th Asian Games ran from Aug. 24 to Sept. 2, 1962, in the "Special Capital Region of Jakarta," the capital city of Indonesia.

The games are notable because the countries of Israel and the Republic of China (Taiwan) were excluded when the Indonesian government refused to issue visas for their delegations. The exclusions came as a result of diplomatic pressure from Arab countries and the People's Republic of China, and went against the Asian Games Federation's rules.

Although 16 sports had been planned, weightlifting was cancelled when the International Wrestling Federation withdrew recognition because of the Israel and Republic of China exclusions.

A total of 1,460 athletes from 17 countries competed. Japan led the final medal count with 152 medals -- 73 Gold, 56 Silver and 23 Bronze.

[Craig]

[Craig]

[Craig]

[Craig]

And then ... came the GANEFO Games the following year.

The GANEFO (Games of the New Emerging Forces) was established for newly-emerging nations (aka, the "Third World"). Because politics and sports intertwined, and because it ran against the policies of the International Olympic Committee, GANEFO athletes were barred from the upcoming Olympic Games.

Indonesia was suspended from the IOC because it denied entries from Israel and Taiwan in the 4th Asian Games that it had hosted a month earlier.

[Craig]

[CanStamp]

Awesome Collection Craig, Keep up the good work with showing these to us .
I know I really enjoy seeing them.

[Craig]

Glad you're enjoying them, Dave! Thanks for the compliments.

[Bee]

palmas7 thank you for sharing your collection its a great collection. SmileyBeautiful

[Craig]

Thanks, Bee. The stamps are very inexpensive too!