Latest news with #WorldFencingChampionship
Civil.ge
23-07-2025
- 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:
Fox News
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Switzerland fencing team turns away from Team Israel on medal podium at European championships
The European Fencing Championship featured a controversial protest against Team Israel in Tallinn, Estonia, Saturday night. Members of Switzerland's silver medal-winning under-23 fencing team turned their backs to the Israeli gold medalists during the medal ceremony while Israel's national anthem played. Israeli defeated Switzerland 45–34 to win gold. After the incident, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar condemned Switzerland for the protest. Israel's fencing team has faced previous protests by opponents in recent years. Iraq's national fencing team withdrew from a match against Israel at the World Fencing Championship in Istanbul in May 2023. FIFA's disciplinary committee was asked to look into allegations of discrimination against Team Israel and even had to consider a suspension after it was requested by the Palestinian soccer federation, the PFA. The PFA specifically accused the Israeli federation IFA of being complicit in violations of international law by the Israeli government, discrimination against Arab players and inclusion in its league of clubs located in Palestinian territory. FIFA did not suspend Israel, and the IFA later lambasted the PFA over the accusations in a statement provided to Fox News Digital. "Whoever fantasized about the suspension of Israeli football from the international arena or sanctions through lies and false accusations has suffered a defeat," the statement said. "Again, we have acted over time in different channels, in a calculated and proactive manner in the face of the challenge of the Palestinian Association and its leader to distort reality, and the result today leaves no room for doubt. "We respect the authors of the report submitted to the council members and the decision of the council members to consider transferring two issues to a legal examination, as long as there is any factual justification for it. Thanks to values that represent a glorious democracy and an independent and determined legal system of the Football Association, we have never violated and will not violate any of the FIFA/UEFA rules." Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
