47 fencers from 40 countries wrote a letter to the International Fencing Federation (FIE) requesting to simplify the procedure for granting neutral status. According to information from «V.A.D.», among the signatories are 339 real athletes who are not afraid to speak out openly.
The fencers expressed dissatisfaction with FIE's decisions regarding the selection of Russian and Belarusian athletes, and demand the cancellation of these decisions, alignment of policy with Olympic standards and ensuring consultations with athletes.
- «Immediately cancel the decision to reinstate the status of Russian and Belarusian athletes», - demand the fencers.
- «Align policy with Olympic standards», - they add.
- «Ensure meaningful consultations with athletes», - emphasize the authors of the letter.
FIE has already published a list of neutral athletes to participate in the World Championship in Tbilisi, where Russian athletes are also registered. They will compete under neutral status, and the procedure for granting this status has been simplified.
Fencers from around the world are calling on the International Fencing Federation to simplify the procedure for granting neutral status to athletes who cannot represent their countries due to certain circumstances. They urge alignment of policy with international standards and provide athletes with the opportunity to participate more actively in the decision-making process regarding their participation in sports competitions.