Fencers from Ukraine will not compete against Russians and Belarusians in the Olympic qualification. The country’s coaches and judges will also not take part in tournaments in which Russian or Belarusian athletes compete.
After the re-admission of the two countries for the international competitions, the fencing association from Ukraine is also calling for a boycott: “We call on the international fencing community to support Ukraine and not compete against Russia!”
The world association FIE had decided by a large majority that Russians and Belarusians would be allowed to fight internationally again in the future. “We find this decision shocking and unacceptable, we are ashamed of what has happened to the FIE,” it said in a statement.
And further: “Alisher Usmanov’s money became more important than Olympic principles.” The World Fencing Federation has been financed by the Russian oligarch Usmanow since 2008 – Usmanow is resigning from his position as FIE President because of the sanctions imposed on him by the European Union.
After the admission of Russians and Belarusians, the German Fechter-Bund (DFeB) returned the Foil World Cup in Tauberbischofsheim and will not host any other World Cup events in the new season either. The Swedes are also refraining from hosting two tournaments. The IOC is aiming for athletes from both countries to return to the international sports stage under neutral flags, provided they clearly commit to the Olympic Charter and do not actively support the war in Ukraine. IOC President Thomas Bach, Olympic fencing champion in 1976, had said that an exclusion “because of a passport or place of birth” violated the ban on discrimination.
communication
