Ukrainian Fencing Federation reacts to Congress' decision to elect Russian oligarch Usmanov as FIE President

The National Fencing Federation of Ukraine and the entire Ukrainian fencing community are outraged by the decision of the Congress of the International Fencing Federation to elect Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov as FIE President. Source: statement published by NFFU press service Details: They stressed that the appointment of Tashkent, Uzbekistan, as the venue for the Congress - Usmanov's homeland - and the early distribution of a letter by the FIE leadership supporting Usmanov by more than 100 national federations indicated a pre-written scenario.

Quote: "The Fencing Federation of Ukraine has long understood that appeals to conscience and humanity do not make any impression on foreign sports officials.

Therefore, in addition to protests, the FFU responds to all illegal and immoral actions in terms of law and will continue to do so. These actions ensured the participation of our athletes in the Olympics and the absence of Russians. At an urgent meeting of the Federation's Presidium, which has already been convened, and after consultations with athletes, coaches, the National Olympic Committee, and the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, our next steps will be determined.

The Ukrainian Fencing Federation will continue to fight for truth, justice, and every Ukrainian fencer," the statement said. The election of the head of the organisation took place in Tashkent. Usmanov received 120 votes.

His opponent, the president of the Swedish Fencing Federation, Otto Drakenberg, only received 26.

It should be noted that following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Usmanov resigned as president of the organisation in 2022 after being placed on the sanctions list of the European Union and the United Kingdom.

He had led the federation since 2008.

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