Ukraine criticizes FIE's 'neutral' fencers - Harlan leads outrage
Ukrainian fencer (photo: facebook.com/fencing.ua)
The International Fencing Federation (FIE) has announced the list of participants for the World Championship, which will take place in Tbilisi from July 22 to 26. Of the 121 athletes admitted to the competition, 37 are registered under "neutral" status, among whom are individuals directly connected to the Russian armed forces, reports Suspilne Sport.
IOC's position ignored
In 2023, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) called on international federations to admit Russian and Belarusian athletes only under specific restrictions.
In particular, participation was prohibited for athletes serving in the armed forces, and the use of national symbols was banned.
Despite this, the FIE not only allowed "neutral" athletes to participate in individual competitions, but also permitted them to compete in team events. A similar decision was made for the European Championships. Now, it has also been made for the World Championship.
Despite the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) recommendations, the FIE has admitted athletes associated with Russian military structures.
In particular, there are Russian army major Sofiia Velikaya, lieutenant Yana Egorian, and warrant officer Olga Nikitina in application.
Ukrainian Fencing Federation: Slap in the face
The Ukrainian Fencing Federation harshly criticized the FIE's decision. In its statement, the national organization said that the admission of Russian military personnel is "a slap in the face not only to Ukrainian athletes but to the entire global sports community."
"From the very beginning, we have emphasized that this entire process of verifying Russian fencers for neutrality is a farce. Now, I hope, this has become clear to all the other foreign federations that pretended the selection was legitimate," said FFU President Mykhailo Illiashev.
"This brazen decision became possible because all previous complaints from the Ukrainian Fencing Federation were ignored, including by the International Olympic Committee," the president added.
Olha Kharlan's reaction
The leader of the Ukrainian national team, Olha Kharlan, also expressed her opinion.
"'Neutrality' is coming on the World Championship in Tbilisi. Well done, FIE," the fencer briefly commented on social media.
Reaction from Olha Kharlan to the admission of Russians to the competition (photo: instagram.com/olgakharlan)
What is known about the Russian 'neutrals'
In 2024, Sofiia Velikaya was a trusted representative of Vladimir Putin's presidential campaign. In April 2025, she was added to Ukraine's sanctions list for 10 years.
The FIE application also includes Yana Egorian, a lieutenant and recipient of an award from the Russian Ministry of Defense, and Olga Nikitina, a Russian army warrant officer. All three have active ties to the military structures of the aggressor state.
