CHORZÓW (POLONIA), 25 Jun. (dpa/EP) –
The European Fencing Confederation (EFC) has suspended the Russian and Belarusian federations for the joint instigation of these countries to war in Ukraine, so their fencers and referees will no longer be able to participate in the organization’s tournaments, as decided the EFC Congress during the European Games in Krakow.
The Ukrainian Fencing Federation’s motion to exclude both countries was accepted by a majority of the 43 member federations that make up the EFC. However, fencers from Russia and Belarus will be able to compete as neutral athletes in tournaments organized by the International Fencing Federation (FIE).
After fencers from both countries were banned from participating in the European Games, the FIE moved the Individual European Championships from Poland to Bulgaria, crucial for qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The European team competition, on the other hand, will be held as scheduled in Krakow until Thursday, as Russian and Belarusian teams are generally not allowed to participate in world competitions, as recommended by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). At the European Games, Russians and Belarusians are totally excluded from all sports.