LAUSANNE – The International Fencing Federation (FIE) on Friday decided to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in Olympic qualifying events, sparking outrage in Ukraine.
Fencing became the first Olympic sport to reopen events to fencers from the two nations, one year after their exclusion due to the war in Ukraine.
After the decision at an extraordinary congress in Lausanne, Ukraine’s fencing body was in “shock” while their Russian counterparts expressed “gratitude”.
Fencing’s qualifying process for the 2024 Paris Olympics is due to begin in April.
FIE’s decision will take effect from April “subject to possible recommendations or future decisions of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)”, a delegate told AFP.
Athletes could qualify and still be barred by the IOC from the Games.
Around 65 per cent of FIE voted for the return to competition of Russian and Belarusian athletes, teams and officials, the delegate who did not wish to be named said.
In response, the Ukrainian Fencing Federation said in a statement: “We are deeply shocked and outraged by this decision and we immediately convene a meeting of the presidium to decide our response to the decision of the FIE and its possible appeal.”
Their Russian counterparts welcomed the decision.
“The first step has been taken. I am grateful to colleagues from foreign federations,” Ilgar Mamedov, president of the Russian Fencing Federation, was quoted as saying by the Ria Novosti news agency.
The decision also meant that Russian and Belarusian athletes can now compete at July’s World Fencing Championships in Milan.
The Ukrainian delegation had sought to have the vote removed from the congress agenda but the request was turned down by the 136 voters.
USA Fencing chief Phil Andrews said his organisation was “disappointed, frustrated and disturbed” but not surprised at the outcome of Friday’s vote.
“Today’s vote... while not a direct endorsement of Russia’s war, does send a message to the world that a majority of the international fencing community is ready to look the other way and welcome back fencers funded by and supported by the Russian government,” he said.
“Some of these fencers have direct ties to the military, and many have not publicly condemned the atrocities of their government.”
In January, the IOC said it was seeking a “pathway” for Russians to take part in the Games.
Following that announcement, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) offered athletes from both countries the chance to compete at the postponed 2022 Asian Games, which will take place in Hangzhou, China, from Sept 23 to Oct 8.
That was a significant move because they could gain qualifying marks to allow them to compete in Paris. AFP, REUTERS
