Introduction to the Controversy
Russians with direct connections to the military can now participate in the World Fencing Championships in July. This decision was made after the management committee of the sport gave up its independent review of Russian and Belarusian athletes. According to the new neutrality policy of the International Federation (Fie), being connected to military clubs is no longer a disqualification factor for fencers who want to receive neutral status.
Implications of the Decision
This decision has enabled the five-time Olympic medalist Sofya Velikaya, a major in the Russian army due to her membership in the CSKA army club, to participate in the World Championships. Many sports organizations in Russia are connected to the army or the police. Velikaya’s participation has sparked outrage among European fencing officials, with one high-ranking officer stating that it is a "total no-go" and that they are "outraged" by the decision to scrap independent checks.
Reaction from Ukraine
The move has also triggered anger in Ukraine, which is still under heavy attack from Russia. The President of the Ukrainian Fencing Association, Mykhailo Ilyashev, stated that "this is a slap in the face not only for Ukrainian athletes but also for the entire global sports community." He emphasized that the process of testing Russian fencers for neutrality is a "farce."
Neutrality Policy
From now on, only Russian and Belarusian fencers are required to commit to a form that confirms their neutrality without being subject to oversight by third-party providers. The requirements include not making public statements that support the war or participating in pro-war events. This guideline breaks with one of the main neutrality rules of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at the 2024 Olympic Games.
Controversy Surrounding Velikaya
The 40-year-old Velikaya missed the Paris games due to her army status. She had never appeared on a checked list of neutral athletes, and her admission to the World Cup, along with other MITKA members who have military ranks, has shocked many. In June, Ukraine complained after Velikaya was nominated as a candidate for the athlete commission of the Fie, highlighting her rank of major and her role as an official activist for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Criticism of the Fie’s Decision
The Ukrainian Ministry of Sports accused Russia of using sports as an "instrument of propaganda" rather than a means of dialogue and unity. The ministry stated that "such a person cannot be recognized as neutral and has no right to take part in the international sports movement – and to claim even less to represent the interests of athletes around the world."
Previous Review Process
Before the Fie’s decision, an independent lawyer and a cyber security company were hired to check information collected for Russian and Belarusian fencers who applied for neutral status. At that point, the criteria for granting neutral status were in line with the IOC’s rules. The Fie declared its decision to simplify the process, making it faster and cheaper, but critics argue that this decision is "stressful and particularly expensive."
Influence of Russian Billionaire
Observers say that fencing has been under Russian influence for a long time. In March 2023, the sport was one of the first to attribute Russians and Belarusians as neutral. The Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, once described by the European Union as "one of Vladimir Putin’s most popular oligarchs," was re-elected as President of the Fie for a fifth term, despite being sanctioned in almost 40 countries. Usmanov resigned from the presidency just a few days after his re-election, but many suspect that he continues to pull the strings behind the scenes.
Conclusion
The decision to allow Russian fencers with military connections to participate in the World Championships has sparked controversy and outrage among European fencing officials and Ukraine. The Fie’s decision to simplify the review process and grant neutral status to Russian and Belarusian fencers has been criticized as "unacceptable" and "a slap in the face" to Ukrainian athletes and the global sports community.
