After the cancellation of several international competitions in Europe due to the admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes, Ilgar Mamadov demanded solutions.
“The absurdities must come to an end,” the president of the Russian Fencing Federation (FFR) told the AFP news agency on the fringes of a tournament in Kazan.
Most recently, the Danish and French associations gave back competitions in protest, and the German Fechter-Bund (DFeB) decided in mid-March not to host the women’s foil world cup in Tauberbischofsheim in May.
“Athletes need to know where they stand – whether or not they can compete in qualifying competitions for next year’s Olympic Games in Paris,” Mamadov said. “How can the exclusion of Russian athletes help Ukraine?” is the key question.
At the beginning of March, the world association FIE decided to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes again from April and thus for the Olympic qualification. An open letter of protest followed from more than 300 active and former fencers. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) then recommended that the professional associations allow athletes from the two countries to participate in competitions again under certain conditions.
“I would like to take part in the Olympic Games,” said Russian epee champion Aisanat Murtasayeva (21) in Kazan, adding that she wanted “to come back with a medal.”