The 2023 Association of National Olympic Committees World Beach Games have been cancelled after the Indonesian island of Bali pulled out as host a month before the event’s scheduled start, organisers said yesterday.
The withdrawal at such short notice left no time to find a suitable host replacement, ANOC said in a statement posted on the event’s official Instagram account.
“There is no option but to cancel this year’s edition of the Games in Bali in August as well as the ANOC General Assembly,” it said.
“A decision will be taken in the coming weeks regarding a new location and dates” for the general assembly, ANOC added.
Bali’s local organising committee (LOC) said it decided to withdraw as host after its budget for the Games “was not released” by the Indonesian government, according to ANOC.
More than 100 Olympic member countries were due to take part in the second edition of the games, which includes beach and watersports like volleyball, surfing and aquathlon.
“ANOC is very disappointed by the LOC’s actions which will deny athletes from 100 qualified NOCs (national Olympic committees) from fulfilling their ambitions of competing at the Games,” ANOC said.
The Games’ status was already cast in doubt after local media reports said Bali Governor Wayan Koster would refuse to support Israel’s presence if it was confirmed to take part.
The ANOC cancellation statement made no mention of Bali’s stance on Israeli participation.
The statement read: “It is with great surprise and extreme disappointment that ANOC has learnt that the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI) has withdrawn from its commitment to host the ANOC World Beach Games and the ANOC General Assembly in August 2023.
“With the Games scheduled to take place in one month, the decision at such late notice prevents ANOC from being able to find an alternative host and so there is no option but to cancel this year’s edition of the Games in Bali in August as well as the ANOC General Assembly. Regarding the ANOC General Assembly, a decision will be taken in the coming weeks regarding a new location and dates.
“The KOI stated the decision was taken after the budget was not released by the Government of the country and there is now not time to deliver the Games. ANOC is very disappointed by the KOI’s actions which will deny athletes from 100 qualified NOCs from fulfilling their ambitions of competing at the Games.
“ANOC offers its sincere apologies to these NOCs, athletes and the International Federations (IFs) who have been committed partners of the event, and to the fans around the world.”
