(Reuters) -More than 440 fencers from 40 countries signed an open letter urging the International Fencing Federation (FIE) to reinstate rigorous background checks on Russian and Belarusian athletes competing under neutral status.
The letter, released by the Global Athlete movement on Thursday, follows the FIE’s decision to list Russian and Belarusian fencers as ‘neutrals’ for the July 22–26 World Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia.
The move has sparked criticism, with Ukraine’s Fencing Federation saying it is considering unspecified legal action over the inclusion of athletes with Russian military ranks. Russia’s war in Ukraine is more than three years old, after it invaded its neighbour in 2022.
Elite fencers expressed their “deep concern and disagreement” with the FIE’s move to replace broader checks with a declaration of peace and neutrality.
“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 letter read.
“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 FIE did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.
Last week, the FIE defended its stance, stating that it “underscores the Federation’s commitment to peace, fairness, and the global unity of sport.”
“Our approach is guided by our duty to protect athletes and preserve the integrity of competition. It is firmly anchored in the Olympic Charter and in our mission to safeguard the values of fencing,” the statement released last Friday said.
“The FIE’s decision responds to a shared belief that athletes must not bear the consequences of geopolitical events beyond their control.”
The European Fencing Confederation also criticised “the lack of independent verification in the eligibility process for so-called neutral athletes.”
Ukrainian Olympic multi-medalist Olga Kharlan, disqualified at the 2023 World Championships for refusing to shake hands with a Russian opponent, warned that FIE’s decisions could jeopardise the sport’s place in the Olympic program.
“We are really close to that moment that we won’t be an Olympic sport, because this is not good for the promotion of the Olympic movement,” Kharlan told DW.
“To see (Russians) in competitions, it’s an injustice for us.”
(Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)
