Olga Kharlan, Ukraine's top Olympian, criticized the International Fencing Federation for relaxing neutrality rules, allowing Russian military athletes to compete. She expressed anger and disappointment over the decision, linking it to propaganda efforts by the Russian military. Kharlan stated that these athletes are representatives of an army that invades Ukraine and harms civilians. Despite the challenges, she assured that Ukrainian athletes would confront Russian competitors with a firm stance against engagement. Kharlan also raised concerns about growing Russian influence within fencing governance, which could jeopardize its Olympic status.
Kharlan expressed her outrage and disappointment regarding the FIE's decision to relax neutrality rules, allowing Russian military athletes to participate in competitions. "It's one of the propaganda tools of the army," she stated, highlighting the direct link between these athletes and the Russian military aggression in Ukraine. She expressed deep concern about the implications for the sport, indicating that the integrity of fencing is at risk due to Russian influence and governance issues surrounding the FIE.
Seeing Russian military athletes compete is profoundly unjust for Ukrainian athletes, according to Kharlan. She emphasized that despite this situation, she and her fellow competitors will confront Russian opponents in competitions, asserting that they will never engage with them personally, emphasizing a strong ideological stance against the Russian invasion and its impact on their homeland.
Kharlan warned about the increasing influence of Russian money within the FIE, reflecting on the re-election of Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov as FIE president. Although he resigned shortly after due to sanctions, Kharlan's concerns highlight the potential governance crises facing various sports organizations, mirroring the fate of the International Boxing Association.
Collection
[
|
...
]