Latest news with #FIE
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Fencers urge FIE to reinstate checks on ‘neutral' Russian, Belarusian athletes
More than 440 fencers from 40 countries have signed an open letter urging the International Fencing Federation (FIE) to reinstate rigorous background checks on Russian and Belarusian athletes competing under neutral status. The letter, released by the Global Athlete movement on Thursday, followed the FIE's decision to list Russian and Belarusian fencers as 'neutrals' for the World Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia, which run from July 22 to 26. The move has sparked criticism. Ukraine's Fencing Federation said it was considering unspecified legal action over the inclusion of athletes with Russian military ranks. Russia's war in Ukraine has lasted more than three years, after it invaded its neighbour in 2022. Elite fencers expressed their 'deep concern and disagreement' with the FIE's move to replace broader checks with a declaration of peace and neutrality. '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,' the letter read. Fencers from over 40 countries signed a letter to the FIE. Photo: EPA '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.'
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Fencers urge federation to reinstate checks on ‘neutral' Russian, Belarusian athletes ahead of World Championships
More than 440 fencers from 40 countries signed an open letter urging the International Fencing Federation (FIE) to reinstate rigorous background checks on Russian and Belarusian athletes competing under neutral status. The letter, released by the Global Athlete movement on Thursday, follows the FIE's decision to list Russian and Belarusian fencers as 'neutrals' for the July 22–26 World Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia. The move has sparked criticism, with Ukraine's Fencing Federation saying it is considering unspecified legal action over the inclusion of athletes with Russian military ranks. Russia's war in Ukraine is more than three years old, after it invaded its neighbour in 2022. Elite fencers expressed their 'deep concern and disagreement' with the FIE's move to replace broader checks with a declaration of peace and neutrality. '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,' the letter read. '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.' The FIE did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. Last week, the FIE defended its stance, stating that it 'underscores the Federation's commitment to peace, fairness, and the global unity of sport'. 'Our approach is guided by our duty to protect athletes and preserve the integrity of competition. It is firmly anchored in the Olympic Charter and in our mission to safeguard the values of fencing,' the statement released last Friday said. 'The FIE's decision responds to a shared belief that athletes must not bear the consequences of geopolitical events beyond their control.' The European Fencing Confederation also criticised 'the lack of independent verification in the eligibility process for so-called neutral athletes'. Ukrainian Olympic multi-medallist Olga Kharlan, disqualified at the 2023 World Championships for refusing to shake hands with a Russian opponent, warned that FIE's decisions could jeopardise the sport's place in the Olympic program. 'We are really close to that moment that we won't be an Olympic sport, because this is not good for the promotion of the Olympic movement,' Kharlan told DW. 'To see (Russians) in competitions, it's an injustice for us.' Related Topics International Fencing Federation
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Fencers urge federation to reinstate checks on 'neutral' Russian, Belarusian athletes
Find out what's new on ST website and app. TBILISI – More than 440 fencers from 40 countries have signed an open letter urging the International Fencing Federation (FIE) to reinstate rigorous background checks on Russian and Belarusian athletes competing under neutral status. The letter, released by the Global Athlete movement on July 17, follows the FIE's decision to list Russian and Belarusian fencers as 'neutrals' for the July 22–26 World Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia. The move has sparked criticism, with Ukraine's Fencing Federation saying that it is considering unspecified legal action over the inclusion of athletes with Russian military ranks. Russia's war in Ukraine is more than three years old, after it invaded its neighbour in 2022. Elite fencers also expressed their "deep concern and disagreement" with the FIE's move to replace broader checks with a declaration of peace and neutrality. "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," the letter read. "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." Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Up to 30% of aviation jobs would have to be redesigned because of AI, automation: CAAS Singapore Alleged Kpod peddler filmed trying to flee raid in Bishan charged with 6 offences Singapore 5 foreigners charged over scheme to deliberately get arrested in S'pore to sell sex drugs World Trump threatens to sue WSJ over story on alleged 2003 letter to Epstein Life F1 Singapore Grand Prix: Music acts Lewis Capaldi, Clean Bandit, Spice Girls' Melanie C added Asia Appointment of Malaysia's new chief justice eases controversy over vacant top judge seats for now Singapore SPCA appoints Walter Leong as new executive director Singapore Driverless bus in Sentosa gets green light to run without safety officer in first for S'pore The FIE did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. Last week, the FIE defended its stance, stating that it 'underscores the Federation's commitment to peace, fairness, and the global unity of sport'. "Our approach is guided by our duty to protect athletes and preserve the integrity of competition. It is firmly anchored in the Olympic Charter and in our mission to safeguard the values of fencing," the statement released last Friday said. "The FIE's decision responds to a shared belief that athletes must not bear the consequences of geopolitical events beyond their control." The European Fencing Confederation, meanwhile, also criticised "the lack of independent verification in the eligibility process for so-called neutral athletes". Ukrainian Olympic multi-medalist Olga Kharlan, disqualified at the 2023 World Championships for refusing to shake hands with a Russian opponent, warned that FIE's decisions could jeopardise the sport's place in the Olympic programme. "We are really close to that moment that we won't be an Olympic sport, because this is not good for the promotion of the Olympic movement," Kharlan told broadcaster DW. "To see (Russians) in competitions, it's an injustice for us." REUTERS
The Star
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Fencing-Fencers urge federation to reinstate checks on 'neutral' Russian, Belarusian athletes
(Reuters) -More than 440 fencers from 40 countries signed an open letter urging the International Fencing Federation (FIE) to reinstate rigorous background checks on Russian and Belarusian athletes competing under neutral status. The letter, released by the Global Athlete movement on Thursday, follows the FIE's decision to list Russian and Belarusian fencers as 'neutrals' for the July 22–26 World Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia. The move has sparked criticism, with Ukraine's Fencing Federation saying it is considering unspecified legal action over the inclusion of athletes with Russian military ranks. Russia's war in Ukraine is more than three years old, after it invaded its neighbour in 2022. Elite fencers expressed their "deep concern and disagreement" with the FIE's move to replace broader checks with a declaration of peace and neutrality. "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," the letter read. "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." The FIE did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. Last week, the FIE defended its stance, stating that it "underscores the Federation's commitment to peace, fairness, and the global unity of sport." "Our approach is guided by our duty to protect athletes and preserve the integrity of competition. It is firmly anchored in the Olympic Charter and in our mission to safeguard the values of fencing," the statement released last Friday said. "The FIE's decision responds to a shared belief that athletes must not bear the consequences of geopolitical events beyond their control." The European Fencing Confederation also criticised "the lack of independent verification in the eligibility process for so-called neutral athletes." Ukrainian Olympic multi-medalist Olga Kharlan, disqualified at the 2023 World Championships for refusing to shake hands with a Russian opponent, warned that FIE's decisions could jeopardise the sport's place in the Olympic program. "We are really close to that moment that we won't be an Olympic sport, because this is not good for the promotion of the Olympic movement," Kharlan told DW. "To see (Russians) in competitions, it's an injustice for us." (Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Fencing-Fencers urge federation to reinstate checks on 'neutral' Russian, Belarusian athletes
Find out what's new on ST website and app. More than 440 fencers from 40 countries signed an open letter urging the International Fencing Federation (FIE) to reinstate rigorous background checks on Russian and Belarusian athletes competing under neutral status. The letter, released by the Global Athlete movement on Thursday, follows the FIE's decision to list Russian and Belarusian fencers as 'neutrals' for the July 22–26 World Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia. The move has sparked criticism, with Ukraine's Fencing Federation saying it is considering unspecified legal action over the inclusion of athletes with Russian military ranks. Russia's war in Ukraine is more than three years old, after it invaded its neighbour in 2022. Elite fencers expressed their "deep concern and disagreement" with the FIE's move to replace broader checks with a declaration of peace and neutrality. "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," the letter read. "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." The FIE did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. Last week, the FIE defended its stance, stating that it "underscores the Federation's commitment to peace, fairness, and the global unity of sport." "Our approach is guided by our duty to protect athletes and preserve the integrity of competition. It is firmly anchored in the Olympic Charter and in our mission to safeguard the values of fencing," the statement released last Friday said. "The FIE's decision responds to a shared belief that athletes must not bear the consequences of geopolitical events beyond their control." The European Fencing Confederation also criticised "the lack of independent verification in the eligibility process for so-called neutral athletes." Ukrainian Olympic multi-medalist Olga Kharlan, disqualified at the 2023 World Championships for refusing to shake hands with a Russian opponent, warned that FIE's decisions could jeopardise the sport's place in the Olympic program. "We are really close to that moment that we won't be an Olympic sport, because this is not good for the promotion of the Olympic movement," Kharlan told DW. "To see (Russians) in competitions, it's an injustice for us." REUTERS
