FIE did not allow Russian Olympic champions Pozdnyakova, Yegoryan and Velikaya to participate in tournaments
The International Fencing Federation (FIE) refused to allow some Russian athletes to participate in competitions. This was announced to TASS by the President of the Russian Fencing Federation Ilgar Mammadov.
“FIE sent us a list of saber fencers that they can allow for international starts,” Mammadov said. The organization banned Olympic champions Sofia Velikaya, Yana Yegoryan, Sofia Pozdnyakova and Olga Nikitina from participating in tournaments. He noted that two-time world champion Kamil Ibragimov, four-time world champion Veniamin Reshetnikov and other promising athletes also did not receive permission to participate in the competition.
On March 10, the FIE allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in international tournaments. It was noted that the return of the teams to the starts in a neutral status will take place no earlier than mid-April. However, the process was delayed due to the nuances of the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee.
In response to the admission of the Russians, a number of European countries refused to hold tournaments under the auspices of the FIE on their territory. They explained the decision by the inability to ensure the safety of the participants.
Source: Lenta
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