18 March 2023 , 11:36
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Fencers have been left furious after a movement to support Ukraine athletes has been banned as competitors from Russia and Belarus look set return in the sport from next month.
The International Fencing Federation (FIE) voted in favour of lifting a ban on athletes from Russia and Belarus from international competitions. The reinstatement is “subject to possible future IOC recommendations/decisions, and in compliance with conditions of neutrality and individual eligibility.”
British Fencing are consulting their members about the vote but questioned how Russian and Belarus athletes would remain 'neutral' athletes. They stated: "There was no definition of neutrality given within the proposals by the FIE, and the IOC has yet to make its recommendations in this regard."
Athletes themselves have voiced their disagreement with the IFE's decision to allow Russian competitors to compete from the 'second half of April'.
Olympic champion Lee Kiefer has headed a video from athletes who all carry the same message "no, I don't agree." Fencers also protested against the decision at this week’s Grand Prix in South Korea - just one week after the FIE's vote.
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Ukrainian and Ohio State fencer Dasha Myroniuk claimed that the FIE made competitors remove Ukraine bandages protesting the decision.
Ukrainian Dasha Myroniuk claims that the FIE made fencers remove Ukraine bandages
Olympic champion Lee Kiefer has headed a video opposing the lifting of a ban against Russian and Belarus athletesShe posted on Instagram: "The team of the USA put on Ukrainian bandages on the hand in a sign of disagreement with Russians participation in the competition. FIE made them remove them and banned any Ukrainian signs on them form. It is unacceptable, open your eyes, no one agrees."
Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov stepped down from his position as president of the FIE after the European Union imposed sanctions following Russia's invasion into Ukraine last year.
Usmanov opted to "suspend the exercise of my duties as president of the International Fencing Federation effective immediately until justice is restored". Usmanov who had been president since 2008 vowed to challenge the EU's sanctions.
Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov stepped down as president of the International Fencing Federation after Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year (YURI KOCHETKOV/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)Some 30 countries, including the UK, have stood in solidarity with those in Ukraine, and have made their stance clear in banning Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing at next year's Paris Olympic Games.
However, the IOC have hit back at the British Government supporting a ban claiming it would be the 'end of world sport' if governments dictated whether Russian athletes were allowed to compete
An IOC statement said: "It is not up to Governments to decide which athletes can participate in which international competitions. This would be the end of world sport as we know it today.
"We hope very much that the British Government will respect the autonomy of sport, which it has emphasised in so many decisions, statements and UN resolutions."
Current president of the IOC Thomas Bach is a former fencer and won gold at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal.