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≡ ATHLETE BLOWBACK ≡
“We write to express our deep concern and disagreement with the FIE’s recent decision to stop conducting independent, thorough checks on Russian and Belarusian athletes applying for Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) status, instead accepting only a signed declaration of peace and neutrality.
“This approach fails to provide sufficient safeguards to ensure that the fencing piste is not used in ways that could undermine the integrity and neutrality of our sport. By removing comprehensive background checks, the FIE risks allowing individuals whose affiliations or actions conflict with the values of neutrality and non-violence to compete under a neutral status. This risks creating a perception of inaction or inconsistency within the international sports community.
“The FIE’s decision contradicts the core principles of fencing—respect, integrity, and fair play—and deviates from the approach originally taken by the international sporting community, including both the FIE and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which established strict eligibility criteria for Russian and Belarusian athletes following the outbreak of war in Ukraine.”
That’s the opening of a lengthy letter signed by 447 fencers, of which 338 are currently active and to which 208 signed their name – the rest did not wish for their identities to be disclosed – protesting the Federation Internationale de Escrime’s decision to drop “neutrality checks” on Russian and Belarusian fencers.
The Global Athlete athlete activist group published the open letter to the Federation Internationale d’Escrime on Thursday, which repeated a March 2023 declaration that “The international community is acutely aware that for Russian and Belarusian athletes, there is no distinction between the athlete and the state.”
The letter is clear about its aims:
“As athletes, we are not mere participants—we are the sport, and we share responsibility for upholding its values. Therefore, we call on the FIE to:
“● Immediately reverse its decision to reinstate Russian and Belarusian athletes and resume thorough reviews and checks for every athlete applying for AIN status;
“● Align its policies with the broader Olympic community’s standards on neutrality and eligibility;
“● Ensure meaningful athlete consultation in decisions affecting the ethical integrity of international competitions.
“We emphasize that our position is not directed against individual athletes but is founded on a commitment to fairness, transparency, and consistency in governance. We recognize that these athletes are not the architects of this war and acknowledge the burden that strict sanctions and requirements impose on them. Yet, this burden is minimal compared to the suffering endured by every Ukrainian.”
The FIE decided the new policy during its 26 June 2025 Executive Committee meeting over what it said were cost concerns to have Russian and Belarusian applications independently checked for “neutrality.” The internal announcement came in a 7 July 2025 information letter, followed by a public announcement on its Web site on 11 July. The 2025 World Championships begin on 22 July in Tbilisi (GEO).
First among the signatories, of course, was Ukrainian star Olha Kharlan, who was infamously disqualified at the 2024 World Championships for not shaking hands with a Russian opponent, then was promised a place at the Paris Olympic Games by then-International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach (GER).
Also signing were American stars, Olympic champion Lee Kiefer and Olympic medalist Gerek Meinhardt, and fencers – current or retired – from Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Rep., Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Mauritius, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and, of course, Ukraine.
Observed: This will have no impact on the FIE, of course, continuing in the grip of President-in-absentia Alisher Usmanov (RUS), who has donated more than $98.5 million to the federation between 2008-21.
However, this kind of activity could have an impact on the IOC and its new President, Kirsty Coventry (ZIM), who has indicated action on the question of Russian and Belarusian participation in the 2026 Winter Games will come up at the IOC Executive Board meeting in September.
The next step for the protesters is to invite Coventry for direct discussions, as well as other IOC Executive Board members, to make their voices heard well before September’s meeting.
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