Ukraine’s most successful Olympian, Olga Kharlan, has warned that fencing’s Olympic future could be jeopardized if the sport’s governing body continues on its current path.
Kharlan’s warning comes after the International Fencing Federation (FIE) announced it was relaxing its neutrality rules, in a move that will allow Russian military athletes to compete in its events.
Their inclusion has caused shockwaves in Ukraine and beyond, with Kharlan saying she was “angry and disappointed” when she heard the news.
“It’s one of the propaganda tools of the army,” Kharlan told DW in an interview. “Exactly that army that they represent, invades Ukraine and kills people. And they also kill Ukrainian athletes.”
The FIE’s decision means that three Russian army officers, including Kharlan’s longtime Olympic rival Sofya Velikaya, an army major, will be able to take part in the world fencing championships in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi next week.
Despite the decision, Kharlan said she and her countrywomen wouldn’t shy away from fighting Russian opponents.
“To see them in competitions, it’s an injustice for us,” she said. “But right now, it’s a different level of injustice for us. And one of the points is that we will never shake hands with them and we will never talk to them.”
Kharlan says seeing Russian military athletes in competion is “an injustice” Image: Andrew Medichini/AP/dpa/picture alliance
Russian influence in fencing ‘getting higher’
Kharlan fears her sport has been corrupted by Russian money. Last November, Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov was reelected as the FIE’s president for a fifth term, although he stood down days later because of international sanctions against him.
“I can see that Russian influence in the FIE is getting higher,” she said.
The worry is that the FIE could go the same way as the International Boxing Association, which lost its Olympic recognition because of governance issues. That had put boxing at risk of exclusion from the Los Angeles Games in 2028.
“With all the scandals and all the press about fencing, 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 said.
“Why should fencing be in the Olympics if they create these problems?”
The FIE has defended its position, saying in a statement issued on July 11, that the decision reflected its “commitment to peace,” and that athletes “must not bear the consequences of geopolitical events beyond their control.”
Open letter calls on FIE to reverse course
Kharlan is one of more than 440 fencers from 40 countries who have signed an open letter calling on the FIE to reverse its decision and resume “thorough reviews and checks” on Russian and Belarusian athletes applying for neutral status.
This allows them to compete without their national flag, anthem or other symbols.
In the letter, organized by the athlete-led movement Global Athlete, the fencers expressed their “deep concern and disagreement” with the FIE’s decision to abandon its independent vetting process.
“This approach fails to provide sufficient safeguards to ensure that the fencing piste is not used in ways that could undermine the integrity and neutrality of our sport,” the letter said, questioning whether the change was prompted by “reasons incompatible with the principles of neutrality and fairness.”
Separately, the European Fencing Confederation (EFC) has also written to the FIE, bemoaning a lack of input in the world governing body’s decision-making process.
“It must be understood that the only zone directly impacted by Russia’s actions is the European one,” the EFC wrote. “Yet, not once has Europe been consulted in order to make any informed decisions.
“Unfortunately, our repeated calls for such dialogue have, in the past, been either unheard or ignored.”
Ukrainian girl runs for charity after losing her legs
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Kharlan feels Ukraine is being forgotten
At last year’s Paris Olympics, 34-year-old Kharlan embodied Ukraine’s fighting spirit, claiming bronze in her individual event — a medal she dedicated to Ukrainian athletes killed by Russia — before leading her country to gold in the team event.
“In Paris, it was a moment that showed what all the Ukrainian people are going through, even though it’s really tough, even though you don’t have your self-confidence in some moments,” the six-time Olympic medalist said.
“But belief and faith works.”
A year on from those Games, Kharlan says she is concerned that Ukraine’s struggles are being forgotten by people in world sport.
“Unfortunately, most people don’t want to understand, or they’re just tired of it, or they just sympathize with Russia,” she said. “Mostly, people are tired, so they can play on this situation right now.
“It’s easier to do it now because they say this conflict is too long. But nothing changed from the first year when they [Russian fencers] were suspended. It’s even worse. More deaths, more destruction and everything else.”
Edited by: Chuck Penfold
