The International Fencing Federation (FIE) has authorized Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flags and anthems, the organization announced on its website.
Fencers from both countries will be able to compete with their national symbols beginning with the World Championships in Hong Kong, scheduled for June 22–30.
The next major tournament for Russian fencers is the European Championships in France, scheduled for June 16–21. According to Ilgar Mamedov, head of the Russian Fencing Federation, Russian athletes will not be able to compete under their flag or anthem at the event.
“At the European Championships, we won’t be able to compete under the flag and anthem for now — we are not yet members of the European confederation. There will be a congress before the championships where the question of our return will be considered. But even if a positive decision is made, I think it won’t happen immediately, not as quickly as the FIE gave us. The Europeans will most likely act gradually,” he told the Russian state news agency TASS.
After Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the FIE temporarily barred Russian and Belarusian athletes from taking part in competitions held under its auspices. In March 2023, they were allowed to compete under a neutral flag.
The International Fencing Federation becomes the sixth federation in an Olympic sport to allow Russian athletes to compete at international tournaments under their national flag. Judo, taekwondo, aquatics, wrestling, and gymnastics federations had previously adopted similar policies.
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