Ukraine protests inclusion of Russian athletes with military ranks as neutrals
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KYIV – The Ukrainian Fencing Federation (NFFU) is considering unspecified legal action after the sport’s global governing body confirmed that three athletes would compete as “neutrals” at the World Championships in July 2025.
The NFFU has insisted that the trio have Russian military ranks.
Ukraine’s National Olympic Committee in June urged the International Fencing Federation (FIE) to bar Russian Olympic multi-medallist Sofya Velikaya from competing, citing her rank as a major in the Russian Armed Forces.
The Ukrainian Olympic body argued that the 40-year-old does not meet the International Olympic Committee’s neutrality criteria, which state that athletes linked to the military or security services of countries engaged in armed conflict should not be allowed to compete as neutrals.
The FIE and the IOC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Velikaya is among 37 athletes listed as “neutrals” on the FIE’s entry list for the event released on July 8 for the July 22-26 World Championships taking place in the Georgian capital Tbilisi.
She is joined by compatriots and fellow fencers Yana Egorian, a gold medallist at the Rio Olympic Games who is listed on the Central Sports Club of the Russian Army website as a lieutenant, and Olga Nikitina, a warrant officer.
Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
“The Fencing Federation of Ukraine is determining legal steps to counter this shameful decision,” the NFFU said in a statement.
“On this occasion, we once again publicly appeal to the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine and the Security Service of Ukraine with a call to apply the measures provided for by law against the leadership of the International Fencing Federation.”
NFFU president Mykhailo Ilyashev added: “This is a slap in the face not only to Ukrainian athletes, but also to the entire global sports community.
“We have emphasised from the very beginning that this whole process of testing Russian fencers for neutrality is a farce.”
Velikaya, born in Kazakhstan, is one of the most decorated fencers of the modern era, with multiple Olympic and World Championship medals.
She won sabre team gold at Rio 2016 alongside Egorian, who also claimed the individual title. Velikaya, joined by Nikitina, went on to defend the team crown at the Tokyo Olympics. REUTERS
