Poland enters World Cup of Fencing derailment

The International Fencing Federation (FIE) has decided to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete as neutrals in the women’s foil World Cup, which was scheduled to take place in Poznan on April 21-23. The Polish Fencing Federation (PZS) announced the decision to scrap the event due to the FIE refusing to allow it to screen participants. The Ukrainian Fencing Federation (FFU) has objected to bringing athletes from Russia and Belarus back to international events, since the International Olympic Committee recommended their return under a neutral flag. The FIE announced its decision to readmit Russian and Belarusian fencers last month, opening the door for them to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Sporting bodies in certain other Western countries have previously announced scrapping fencing events for similar reasons as in Poland.

Germany’s DFB canceled a women’s foil World Cup event a week after the FIE’s change of rules, and its French counterpart (FFE) did the same with the men’s Challenge Monal epee tournament last Friday. Both parts of the fencing World Cup were scheduled for May.