NewsNews28 November 2022

"Sportivny Front": boycott of Russian and Belarusian fencers in the international arena until March 2023

An open letter of the media community and the sports community regarding the boycott of Russian and Belarusian athletes gathered more than 200 signatories

At the end of last week, the 1+1 media group and the National Fencing Federation of Ukraine within the framework of the "Sports Front" project urged the International Fencing Federation not to allow Russians and Belarusians to compete.

The premise of the appeal was the holding of the congress of the International Fencing Federation, during which the further status of the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus in competitions and tournaments was considered, as well as 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.

In total, the open letter gathered more than 200 signatories, including media professionals, sports journalists, members of the National Fencing Federation, coaches, multiple champion fencers, judges of the international category, and candidates of science in physical education and sports. Comprehensive information about the signatories is available in the document at this link .

In addition, during the congress itself, on November 26, in Lausanne, Switzerland, the ambassador of the "Sports Front" project, Ukrainian saber fencer, Olympic champion Olga Kharlan, spoke to the world sports community.

Thus, the suspension of Russians and Belarusians from participating in international competitions will last until March. After that, an extraordinary congress will be convened, at which a vote will be held on the further status of the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus in professional competitions.

"Russian and Belarusian athletes will be able to return to the big sport only when their "shval" leaves our land. They have no right to talk about the fact that they are not involved in the government. Russian athletes shake Putin's hand and receive wages from him. While a full-scale war is going on, they have no right to participate in competitions or go anywhere at all ," Olga Harlan said in an interview with "Sportivna Front".

The 1+1 media group together with the National Fencing Federation of Ukraine expresses its gratitude to all caring journalists, media people, representatives of sports organizations and associations from around the world for supporting Ukraine on the sports front.

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