Fencers urge IOC and FIE to reconsider decision to allow Russia

More than 300 fencers have signed an open letter asking Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and Emmanuel Katisiadakis, President of the International Fencing Federation (FIE), to rethink their decision to permit athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete in qualifying competitions for the Paris 2024 Olympics. The FIE is charged in the letter with failing to uphold its responsibility to protect athletes, notably Ukrainians, and it is called out for making a “catastrophic error” when it voted earlier this month to restore Russian and Belarusian fencers. 323 fencers, including 286 who are currently active competitors, have signed it. The letter has been copied to IOC Athletes’ Commission head Emma Terho and FIE Athlete Commission leader Rubén Limardo Gascon.

What does the letter indicate?

The letter requests that Bach uphold the National Olympic Committees’ and Fencing Federations of Russia and Belarus’ recommendations for suspensions and make sure the FIE abides by IOC regulations. As a result of the FIE vote, competitors from the two countries can start competing at the beginning of April. Following the invasion of Ukraine, the IOC suggested a ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing in any international events last year. It has now cut back and is looking into ways for them to be capable of competing on an equal level.

Bach has insisted that politics and the actions of governments should not impact an athlete, with the matter the key item on the agenda at an IOC Executive Board meeting. “Russia’s aggression not only violates the norms of international law but also the fundamental values of Olympism,” the letter adds. 

The open letter showcases fears about the security of athletes from Ukraine, and it also addresses the political implications of allowing Russian and Belarusian competitors to take part. It also faults the FIE for deciding without contacting athletes and for failing to evaluate the impact on their emotional and physical well-being. The letter closes by imploring the IOC and FIE to accept the consequences of their conduct and put the safety and well-being of athletes foremost.

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What did the German fencing team spokesman had to say

Global Athlete and the German group Athleten Deutschland have supported the letter. German fencing team spokesman Leon Schaeffer said, “The athletes would have preferred a different decision by the FIE. If we don’t compete, we would make it even easier for the Russians to get to the Olympics, the pro-Russia decision was not in the hands of the athletes.” He insisted that if individual athletes did decide to boycott, there should be no sanctions against them.

What did the sports policy adviser Maximilien Klein said

The FIE decision has resulted in the cancellation of the FIE World Cup foil event planned for May in Tauberbischofsheim, the town where Bach was raised. Despite the presence of Russian and Belarussian competitors, the German teams appear poised to compete in other FIE Olympic qualification competitions. Athleten Deutschland international sports policy adviser Maximilien Klein said, “Because of this passivity and irresponsibility on the part of the associations, it is once again the athletes who are being burdened with responsibility and who are being urged to make individual decisions about boycotts.”

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