The decision appears to mean that Russian and Belarusian fencers will qualify for next year’s Olympics in Paris.
Fencing, like most other sports federations, has followed recommendations from the IOC, the International Olympic Committee, to ban athletes from Russia and Belarus since Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine started last February.
In January, the IOC opened to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in the 2024 Olympics.
Neutral flag
The International Fencing Federation has not published its decision on its website after Friday’s congress, but four national federations have published statements saying that Russia and Belarus are now welcome to compete again.
The British Fencing Association says that Russian and Belarusian fencers can compete again from mid-April and that they can compete under a neutral flag.
It is in line with the IOC’s announcement in January.
According to the British Fencing Association, the proviso in the approval was that Russian and Belarusian fencers were allowed to compete “subject to future IOC recommendations/decisions and on the basis of neutrality and individual eligibility”. However, what that means in practice is unclear, the British association added.
Threatening boycott
The Ukrainian Fencing Federation commented on the decision saying that they are “deeply shocked” and that they will discuss how to act.
Ukraine has previously threatened to boycott the Olympics in Paris next summer if the IOC admits Russian and Belarusian athletes.
The American Fencing Association also criticizes the decision.
The International Judo Federation has previously lifted the ban, but no Russian or Belarusian judo players have so far competed on the world tour.