The International Fencing Federation seeks to bring back athletes who support or take part in the killing of Ukrainians. Over 440 fencers from 40 countries have signed an open letter to the organization, urging it to reinstate strict background checks for Russian and Belarusian athletes, Reuters reports.
The reason is the admission of athletes from aggressor states to the World Championship in Tbilisi, scheduled for 22–26 July, without thorough vetting of their involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Russia's war has killed over 500 Ukrainian athletes, including children. Nearly 500 sports facilities have been partially or completely destroyed in Russian attacks.
"By removing comprehensive background checks, the FIE risks allowing individuals whose affiliations or actions conflict with the values of neutrality and non-violence to compete under a neutral status," the athletes stated in the letter, published by the Global Athlete movement.
Elite fencers voiced their opposition to the International Fencing Federation's decision to replace screening procedures with a formal declaration of neutrality.
Putin’s “neutral” athletes cheer Russia’s atrocities in Ukraine — but FIFA can’t wait to get them back
"The FIE's decision contradicts the core principles of fencing, respect, integrity, and fair play, and deviates from the approach originally taken by the international sporting community," the letter reads.
The Ukrainian Fencing Federation has warned it may pursue legal action, as some admitted Russian athletes hold military ranks. The European Fencing Confederation also condemned "the lack of independent verification in the eligibility process for so-called neutral athletes."
Last week, the organization claimed that its position "underscores the Federation's commitment to peace, fairness, and the global unity of sport." But many athletes and federations see this as a cover for bringing aggressors back into international sports.
Ukrainian Olympic champion Olga Kharlan, who was disqualified in 2023 for refusing to shake hands with a Russian opponent, says that such International Fencing Federation policies could destroy fencing's presence in the Olympic program.
