Finland refused to hold a fencing tournament in protest against the admission of Russians
The Finnish Fencing and Pentathlon Association (SM5L) refused to hold the Kupittaa Tournament due to the admission of the Russians. This was reported on the website of the organization.
It is noted that the decision was made in protest against the International Fencing Federation (FIE), which allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to return to tournaments. “Since, under the circumstances, SM5L could not prevent Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in the competition, the federation had no other choice,” the statement said.
Earlier, another country, Germany, opposed the tournament with the participation of Russians. The European state refused to host the stage of the World Cup in foil fencing among women.
On March 10, it became known that the FIE decided to re-admit Russian and Belarusian athletes to tournaments. The return of athletes to the competitions will take place no earlier than mid-April 2023. On March 2, 2022, the FIE temporarily suspended the teams of the two countries from participating in starts under its auspices.
Source: Lenta
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