Russia’s star fencers Sofia Velikaja, Yana Yegoryan and Sofia Pozdnyakova are not allowed to participate in the Olympic qualification. In addition to the saber trio, which was decorated with Olympic gold, the world association FIE did not allow other fencers from Russia to participate in international competitions. The head of the Russian Olympic Committee Stanislav Pozdnyakov then declared that the return conditions for Russian athletes were a “farce”.
Even before the IOC’s recommendation at the end of March, the World Fencing Federation had made it possible for Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in individual competitions “subject to the conditions of neutrality and individual admission”. A few weeks ago, the IOC recommended that the world associations allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete again as neutral athletes – provided they meet certain conditions.
In view of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression in Ukraine, the world federations must decide and assess whether the IOC criteria are met in the athletes’ examination. IOC requirements include strict neutrality, compliance with the anti-doping code and proof of not actively supporting the war. Those who belong to the military remain excluded, as do teams.
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The requirements of the IOC are formulated in such a way that “in practice it is impossible for the majority of our athletes and practically all the leaders of our national team to participate in qualifying for the Olympics and other competitions”, wrote Pozdnyakov on his Telegram channel.
Russia is thus faced with a difficult choice. “Our fencers will only participate if there are equal conditions with athletes from other countries, without imaginary or illegal parameters and other artificial obstacles”, explained Russia’s Olympic boss – there was agreement on the position.
Successful trio
Posdnayakov is himself a four-time Olympic fencing champion and father of Sofia Posdnyakowa. His 25-year-old daughter won saber gold individually and with the team at the Tokyo Olympics.
37-year-old Sofia Welikaja is a five-time world champion, fences for CSKA Moscow and was the flag bearer in Tokyo. Jana Yegoryan (29) trumped in Rio in 2016 and was awarded Sportswoman of the Year in Russia.
Welikaja had expressed his satisfaction after the re-admission by the FIE. “Sport should offer equal rights and conditions”, she told the Tass news agency. “Common sense prevailed.”