1+1 media urged the International Fencing Federation not to allow Russians and Belarusians to compete
The corresponding open letter was initiated by the 1+1 media group and the National Fencing Federation of Ukraine as part of the "Sports Front" project
On Saturday, November 26, a congress of the International Fencing Federation (FIE) will be held in Lausanne, Switzerland, during which the further status of the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus in competitions and tournaments will be considered. In addition, on the agenda of the meeting is the ratification of the decision of the Executive Committee on the appointment of the interim president. Previously, FIE was headed by Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov.
That is why the 1+1 media group together with the National Fencing Federation of Ukraine appealed to Emmanuel Katsiadakis, acting president of the organization, with a request not to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to international competitions in any status, including neutral. In the corresponding open letter, the initiators noted:
"179 Ukrainian athletes and coaches died on the front lines. In addition, Russia cynically destroyed more than 111 sports facilities, including the fencing hall in Kharkiv and the Mykolaiv Professional College of Physical Education, where outstanding athletes, Olympic champions Olga Kharlan and Elena Khomrova studied. All classrooms, a dormitory, and a fencing hall were damaged. In addition, Russia continues to use sports as a means of propaganda. Russian sportsmen openly support the war in Ukraine, and also join the concerts and rallies of the Kremlin regime.
We are convinced that while the war in Ukraine continues, Russian and Belarusian athletes have no place in major sports. This thesis is supported by every Ukrainian and millions of people around the world. After all, sports grounds have always been a place for recognizing not only the professional qualities of athletes, but also, first of all, moral and ethical ones."
Also, the authors supplemented the official letter of the video with an appeal from the Ukrainian saber fencer, Olympic champion Olga Harlan , which was created as part of the 1+1 media communication campaign - "Sports Front".
"Every day I feel the pain that war brings to people. He pierces my heart like a sharp saber. And so every time I hear about the threat of a missile attack on my native Mykolaiv. Around the city, where my parents, all my relatives, friends, coaches are now. They have to hide in basements to survive. All Ukrainians have to fight for their lives every day.
We, athletes, have to fight for them on our front. Do not remain silent, as Russian and Belarusian athletes do. And act as one team. And our final blow is the complete isolation of Russian and Belarusian sports in the world , " Olga Harlan said in the video.
Video: https://youtu.be/zcqalNQR-m0
The clip is available for viewing and distribution on the social networks of the 1+1 media group and on the 1+1 and TSN YouTube channels. Also, the social campaign is broadcast within the telethon "Edyni Novyni".
You can read the full text of the letter in the document at this link . In addition, all interested journalists, media professionals, representatives of sports organizations and associations from around the world can join the signatories by sending a corresponding request to the mailbox prgroup@1plus1.tv .
Photo: Mykola Sinelnikov
