In an open letter, 300 fencers criticized their own professional association and the International Olympic Committee. Your demand: Russia’s exclusion from world sport.
More than 300 active and former fencers have spoken out in an open letter against the re-admission of Russia and Belarus to world sport.
“Russia’s aggression” – meaning the aggressive war against Ukraine – violates the fundamental values of Olympism, the letter says. It is addressed to IOC President Thomas Bach and Emmanuel Katsiadakis, interim President of the International Fencing Federation (FIE). The letter published on Tuesday morning is also supported by the German athletes interest group.
As long as the Russian war of aggression, supported by Belarus, continues, the athletes and officials of both countries must remain excluded from world sport, the fencers demand. They also complain about a lack of a say. For example, the fencing association “completely disregarded” the votes of athletes allowed Russia and Belarus to participate in FIE competitions again.
Clear contradiction
The admission of the two countries “to an alleged tournament on Russian soil” is also criticized. This is a clear contradiction to the position of the IOC, “according to which “no international sports events should be organized or supported by an international sports federation or NOC (National Olympic Committee) in Russia or Belarus”. The process shows once again that Russian interests are more important than the voice and rights of athletes, especially those from Ukraine.
At its meeting in Lausanne this Tuesday, the executive of the International Olympic Committee intends to publish key points as recommendations for the world federations for the return of athletes from Russia and Belarus to the international sports scene. It is primarily about maintaining neutrality by the athletes from both countries in competitions.
The World Fencing Federation, financed by the Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov, already turned around on March 10 and decided by a large majority to allow Russians and Belarusians to participate in the Olympic qualification. In contrast, the world athletics association World Athletics has decided not to allow athletes from these countries to start at its meetings and title fights. In professional tennis, on the other hand, they are involved as neutral athletes.
Source: Stern
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