The Executive Committee of the International Fencing Federation (FIE) allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in competitions with the flag and the national anthem. This was stated on the organization’s website.
The two countries’ competitors will be able to compete in competitions bearing national symbols, starting with the World Championships in Hong Kong, which will be held from June 22 to 30.
The nearest major tournament for Russian fencers is the European Championships in France, which will be held from June 16 to 21. According to the head of the Russian Fencing Federation, Ilgar Mammadov, Russian athletes will not be able to perform with the flag and the national anthem.
“We will not be able to perform at the European Championships with the flag and the national anthem yet – we are not yet members of the European Union. Before the tournament, there will be a conference where they will consider the issue of our return. But even if they make a positive decision, I think it will not be immediately, and not as quickly as the FIA gave us. The Europeans will most likely act gradually,” he told TASS.
After the beginning of Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine, the IBF temporarily suspended Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in competitions under its auspices. In March 2023, they were allowed to compete under a neutral flag.
The International Fencing Federation became the sixth Olympic sports federation to allow Russians to compete in international tournaments under the national flag. A similar decision was previously taken by the judo, taekwondo, aquatics, wrestling and gymnastics federations.