Hong Kong fencers voice concerns as Russian and Belarusian athletes are readmitted at FIE events
- Fong Hoi-sun ‘shocked’ by International Fencing Federation’s decision while Ryan Choi Chun-yin says it is a ‘complicated’ situation
- Decision led to backlash, with more than 300 fencers signing a letter of protest, while Germany and Poland cancelled events
The decision of the International Fencing Federation (FIE) to readmit Russians and Belarusians at their events has left several of Hong Kong’s prominent fencers voicing concerns.
But they are adamant it will not affect their Paris 2024 Olympics qualification cycle, which begins this month.
Athletes from the two countries were banned from many international competitions after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Belarus is a key ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
But at an extraordinary congress held last week, more than 60 per cent of nations voted to allow Russians and Belarusians to resume competing in FIE events. The decision led to a backlash, with more than 300 fencers signing a letter of protest.
Germany and Poland both cancelled women’s foil World Cup events, while the French Fencing Federation also withdrew as hosts for a men’s épée World Cup.
Hong Kong epeeist Fong Hoi-sun, ranked No 34 in the world, said he was not expecting such a decision from the sport’s global governing body.