Nowhere else in sports is the question of Russian participation in competitions as political and personal as in fencing. Some examples: Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee and often referred to as a friend of Russia, was himself a world-class fencer.
It will be particularly painful for him that his hometown of Tauberbischofsheim recently returned the traditional World Cup event in protest of the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international tournaments.
Vladimir Guttsait and Stanislav Pozdnyakov together won Olympic fencing gold in Barcelona in 1992. Today they are presidents of the national Olympic committees of Ukraine and Russia and currently their worst opponents. Russian Podznaykov was also ousted as president of the European Fencing Federation in 2022 for his support of the war.
A Russian oligarch was forced to resign
Charismatic oligarch Alisher Usmanov, who is close to Putin, is also the nominal president of the World Fencing Federation from Russia. However, Usmanov suspended himself at the beginning of the war. Nevertheless, the millions he brought in are still a key factor in fencing.
After the World Federation approved the return of individual athletes from belligerent Russia by a vote of 85:51 last month, the defeated Western states reacted more violently than in any other sport. Seven European countries have returned their international tournaments in protest. In addition to Tauberbischofsheim, IOC boss Bach is likely to distance the Olympic city of Paris from the first team world cup qualifying stage in mid-May.
Instead of France, the start of the Olympic race with a total of seven qualifying races will now take place in Istanbul. The team classification is the easiest way for the two Swiss teams to get a ticket for the 2024 Summer Games. Because the eight qualified countries automatically also provide three fencers in the individual competition. In addition, Russia as a team remains excluded.
Swiss teams will not meet Russia
The top four teams in the world rankings and one different country from each of the four continents are in Paris. The Swiss men start the race as number 6 in the world with good prospects and the women also have a chance.
In the individual competition, only two Europeans, next to the team fencers, managed to qualify directly for Paris. The top two Swiss athletes, Alexis Bayard and Max Heinzer, are currently ranked 10 and 20 in the world rankings. The Central Swiss sports director Heinzer will also decide in the short term whether he will contest the individual start in Colombia at all. “Only if my third child is in the world at the planned departure,” says the 35-year-old.
Either way, Heinzer won’t be in top form. Due to a ruptured Achilles tendon he suffered in Heidenheim in February, the veteran was even forced to use a wheelchair for technical training at times. “But I currently feel a great desire and motivation to compete,” says Heinzer. (aargauerzeitung.ch)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
