Latest news with #FIE
Time Out
a day ago
- Sport
- Time Out
Ryan Choi wins Hong Kong's first-ever gold medal at Fencing World Championships
In the early hours of last night, Hong Kong foil fencer Ryan Choi Chun-yin became the city's first-ever world champion when he clinched the gold medal at the World Fencing Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia. The 27-year-old defeated his Russian opponent, Kirill Borodachev, in the men's foil finals with a score of 15-9. Along with his sparkling new title as the world champion, Choi will also receive USD $40,000 as a prize. Choi's triumphant victory follows nabbing a gold medal at the Asian Fencing championships in June, as well as claiming the Asian fencing world championship title at the FIE (Fédération Internationale d'Escrime) Shanghai Foil Grand Prix earlier in May. Familiar faces on Hong Kong's fencing team, such as Edgar Cheung Ka-long and Vivian Kong Man-wai, have each won two bronze medals in previous editions of the World Fencing Championships.
Civil.ge
2 days ago
- Politics
- Civil.ge
Tbilisi Hosts World Fencing Championship Featuring Russian Military-Affiliated Athletes
Georgian sports officials called for separating sports from politics as the Tbilisi-hosted World Fencing Championship has drawn controversy for featuring Russian fencers, including at least three with active military ranks in the Russian army. The international competition with more than 100 athletes takes place in the Georgian capital from July 22 to 30 and follows the July 11 decision by the International Fencing Federation to allow Russian and Belarusian fencers to compete as 'neutral athletes' (AIN). The athletes must submit a 'sworn declaration of neutrality' and pledge to support the organization's 'peace mission' to be allowed to participate. Among the Russian participants are Maj or Sofya Velikaya, Lieutenant Yana Egorian, and Warrant Officer Olga Nikitina, who, according to media reports , have received state honors directly from Russian Leader Vladimir Putin. The reports led to an international backlash towards the International Fencing Federation, including from the fencing community. Over 400 international fencers called in a July 17 letter on the Federation to reverse its decision and 'resume thorough reviews and checks on every athlete applying for AIN status.' Olga Kharlan, top Ukrainian sabre fencer and five-time Olympic gold medalist, opted out of the competition after the FIE's decision, slamming the presence of Russian athlete Sofya Velikaya. ' Sofya Velikaya – a major in the Russian army is not just a fencer. She is a tool of state propaganda, part of a massive machine that has justified war and violence for years,' Kharlan wrote on social media on July 8. Velikaya, 40, was among 20 Russian public figures blacklisted by Ukraine for either supporting the full-scale invasion or maintaining close ties with sanctioned entities. She is also a member of CSKA, a sports club affiliated with the Russian military. The presence of Russian athletes also sparked outrage among some Georgians, but sports officials dismissed the concerns while confirming that the athletes do, in fact, hold military ranks. 'We should separate sports from politics,' the president of the Georgian Fencing Federation, Meab Bazadze, told Formula TV as the host federation also faces backlash. He added that it was the FIE that decided to include the Russian athletes in the competition. 'I know they hold military ranks, but I've known these athletes for many years,' Bazadze said. 'They are successful sportsmen, and I've never seen them holding a gun,' he added. Also Read:
South China Morning Post
7 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
18-07-2025
- 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
18-07-2025
- 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
