Fédération Internationale d'Escrime
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Sport | Fencing |
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Founded | November 29, 1913 |
President | ![]() |
Countries | 157 |
Headquarters | ![]() |
Official website | FIE.org |
The Fédération Internationale d'Escrime (English: International Fencing Federation), commonly known by the acronym FIE, is the international governing body of Olympic fencing. Today, its head office is at the Maison du Sport International in Lausanne, Switzerland. The FIE is composed of 155 national federations,[2] each of which is recognized by its country's Olympic Committee as the sole representative of Olympic-style fencing in that country.
Since its inception in 1913, there have been 14 presidents. The position of president of the federation is currently vacant, but was most recently occupied by Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov (from 2008 until 2022). In February 2022, in reaction to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the European Union blacklisted Usmanov, imposed an EU-wide travel ban on him and froze all of his assets. The EU stated: "He has been referred to as one of Vladimir Putin's favourite oligarchs."[3] Following the imposition of the sanctions on him, Usmanov announced, in an accusatory letter, that he was stepping down as FIE President.
In 2023 the FIE came under fire for its decision to disqualify Ukrainian four-time individual world sabre champion Olga Kharlan from the World Fencing Championships. After Kharlan defeated Russian Anna Smirnova 15-7, Smirnova extended her hand to Kharlan, who in turn extended her saber in an offer to the Russian to tap blades. Kharlan said her choice of salute was meant as a sign of respect for her opponent, while still acknowledging the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. After a long delay during which Smirnova protested and sat on the strip for 45 minutes, Kharlan was ultimately black-carded and eliminated from the championship by FIE officials. Mykhailo Podolyak, adviser to Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky, called the FIE decision "absolutely shameful."
History
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/Allegory_of_fencer_-_V%C3%A1clav_Cesak_-_Lausanne.jpg/220px-Allegory_of_fencer_-_V%C3%A1clav_Cesak_-_Lausanne.jpg)
The Fédération Internationale d'Escrime is the heir of the Société d'encouragement de l'escrime founded in France in 1882, which took part in the global movement of structuring sport.[4] The first international fencing congress was held in Brussels, Belgium in 1897 at the instigation of the Fédération belge des cercles d'escrime, followed by another one in Paris in 1900.[5] On this occasion the Société organised one of the first international fencing events; French, Italian, Spanish, and Belgian fencers attended the competition.[6] Dissensions rapidly arose between epeists and foilists, which held the majority at the Société. The third congress held in Brussels in 1905 voted the creation of an international fencing committee whose mission would be of fostering friendship amongst all fencers, establishing national rules, and supporting the organization of fencing competitions.[7] The third congress also adopted the French rules as the basis for upcoming international competitions. New tensions appeared, this time between France and Italy, about the regulatory weapon grip. They led to the boycott by France of the fencing events of the 1912 Olympic Games.[8]
A new international congress was called together in Ghent, Belgium, in July 1913. The main matter was the adoption of international regulations for each of the three weapons. The French rules were adopted in épée and foil; the Hungarian rules were chosen for sabre.[9] Frenchman René Lacroix also campaigned for the creation of an international fencing federation.[citation needed]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d5/Maison_du_Sport_International_-_Lausanne.jpg/220px-Maison_du_Sport_International_-_Lausanne.jpg)
The Fédération Internationale d'Escrime was founded on November 29, 1913, in the conference rooms of the Automobile Club de France in Paris.[10] The nine founding nations were Belgium, Bohemia (now the Czech Republic), France, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, and Norway. Albert Feyerick, president of the Federation of fencing clubs of Belgium, was elected as the first president. The FIE held its first congress on June 23, 1914, and accepted the adhesion of seven new countries: Austria, Denmark, Monaco, Romania, Russia, Switzerland, and the United States.[11]
Presidency of Alisher Usmanov
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cd/Vladimir_Putin_at_award_ceremonies_%282018-11-27%29_15.jpg/290px-Vladimir_Putin_at_award_ceremonies_%282018-11-27%29_15.jpg)
Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov was elected president of the FIE in 2008 with 66 votes to 61 for incumbent president René Roch. He was re-elected in 2012 and 2016.[12][13] In 2021, Usmanov was re-elected by acclamation to a fourth term, for which he was congratulated by Vladimir Putin.[14][15] On 28 February 2022, in reaction to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the European Union blacklisted Usmanov, imposing an EU-wide travel ban on him and freezing all of his assets. The EU stated: "He has been referred to as one of Vladimir Putin's favourite oligarchs."[16] Following the imposition of the sanctions on him, Usmanov announced on 1 March 2022, in an accusatory letter, that he was stepping down as FIE President.[17][18]
Impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine
In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in late February 2022, the FIE agreed with the European Fencing Confederation (EFC) to ban Russian and Belarusian fencers, and reallocated competitions that were due to be held in Russia and Belarus.[19]
On 10 March 2023, the FIE became the first Olympic governing body to officially reinstate Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials, in time for the start of the qualification for the 2024 Summer Olympics.[20] Protesting this decision, Denmark,[21] France,[22] Germany,[23] and Poland[24] cancelled upcoming World Cup fencing events to prevent Russians and Belarusians from participating.
In April 2023, it was revealed that the European Fencing Confederation had sent a critical letter to the FIE, outlining their opposition to the FIE's plans to strip the countries, that had indicated they would not grant visas to Russians and Belarusians, from hosting rights and impose sanctions on them.[25] In addition, the EFC approved in congress in June 2023 that no Russian or Belarusian coach or athlete may compete in an EFC competition and that Russia and Belarus are suspended as members.[26] Over 200 fencers also signed an open letter in which they objected to the FIE's decision to allow the return of Russian and Belarusian fencers as neutrals.[27] In May 2023, FIE decided to strip individual events at the 2023 European Games in Kraków-Małopolska of their Olympic qualifier status because the Polish organizers banned Russians from participating at the Games, and therefore they organized instead a separate European Championships in Plovdiv for individual events only where Russians were allowed to compete.[28] The Nordic Fencing Union heavily critisized these decisions by the FIE.[29]
Disqualification of Ukrainian world champion
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b0/Olha_Kharlan_-_2016-10-05_-_4.jpg/180px-Olha_Kharlan_-_2016-10-05_-_4.jpg)
In July 2023, Ukrainian four-time individual world sabre champion Olga Kharlan was disqualified by the FIE at the World Fencing Championships.[30] Kharlan defeated Russian Anna Smirnova 15-7. Smirnova extended her hand to Kharlan, who in turn extended her saber in an offer to the Russian to tap blades.[31][32] Kharlan said her choice of salute was meant as a sign of respect for her opponent, while still acknowledging the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.[33] After a long delay during which Smirnova protested and sat on the strip for 45 minutes, Kharlan was ultimately black-carded and eliminated from the championship by FIE officials.[34][35] The Russian had been allowed to compete as a neutral athlete.[36] The Ukrainian delegation filed an appeal.[37] The German Fencing Federation critisized the decision by the FIE and maintained that the very strict interpretation of the rules sent a fatal signal far beyond the world of fencing.[38]
The FIE came under fire for its decision. Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina called the FIE’s disqualification “disrespectful” towards Ukrainians.[39] Mykhailo Podolyak, adviser to Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky, called the FIE decision "absolutely shameful," and posted a photo on his Twitter feed which appeared to show the Russian fencer smiling and flashing the victory sign with a Russian soldier, writing: "The photo features ... the Russian fencer.... As you can see, she openly admires the Russian army.... The [FIE] disqualified the Ukrainian representative for not shaking hands with the Russian."[40][41] Kharlan said "This federation will never change."[41]
On 28 July at the behest of the Comité international olympique, the disqualification of Kharlan was cancelled by FIE making it possible for her to enter the team event on 29 July. Kharlan also received confirmation of her qualification into the Olympics in 2024.[42] FIE also ended their mandatory handshake policy.[43]
Events
Competitions organized by the FIE include the senior World Championships and World Cup, the Junior World Championships and Junior World Cup, the Cadets World Championships and the Veterans World Championships. The FIE delegates to regional confederations the organization of the zone championships.[citation needed]
The FIE assists the International Olympic Committee in the organization of fencing events at the Summer Olympics. The number of events is a matter of contention between the FIE and the CIO since the introduction of women's sabre at the 1999 World Championships: since then, the World Championships feature twelve events–an individual and a team weapon for each of the three weapons, for men and for women. However, the CIO refuses to increase the number of Olympic medals allocated to fencing. After much dithering, the FIE decided to organize all six individual events, but only four team events decided on a rotational basis. The two team events excluded from the Olympic programme, one for men and one for women, compete instead in World championships.[44]
People
Presidents of the FIE
A list of FIE presidents from 1913 to the present:[45][46]
- 1913–21: Albert Feyerick
- 1921–24: André Maginot
- 1925–28: George van Rossem
- 1929–32: Eugène Empeyta
- 1933–48: Paul Anspach
- 1949–52: Jacques Coutrot
- 1953–56: Giuseppe Mazzini
- 1957–60: Pierre Ferri
- 1961–64: Miguel de Capriles
- 1965–80: Pierre Ferri
- 1981–84: Giancarlo Brusati
- 1984–92: Rolland Boitelle
- 1993–2008: René Roch
- 2008–22: Alisher Usmanov
- 2022–date: Emmanuel Katsiadakis (interim president)
Athletes
National federations
As of 2019, the FIE recognized 157 affiliated national federations.[47]
Africa (CAE) | America (CPE) | Asia (FCA) | Europe (CEE) | Oceania (OFC) |
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Note: As of 7 July 2012[update], the Netherlands Antilles was still listed as an FIE Member nation, and 146 member nations were listed on the FIE's membership page. However, after the country was dissolved, it lost its National Olympic Committee status in 2011. At the 2012 Olympics, athletes from the former Netherlands Antilles were eligible to participate as independent athletes under the Olympic flag (no fencers competed).
References
- ^ "The International Fencing Federation". Fie.org. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
- ^ "INTERNATIONAL FENCING FEDERATION". www.fie.org.
- ^ "'Unfair': One of Putin's favourite Russian billionaires is absolutely filthy". news.com.au. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
- ^ Ottogalli, Six & Terret 2014, p. 13
- ^ Ottogalli, Six & Terret 2014, p. 15
- ^ Ottogalli, Six & Terret 2014, p. 14
- ^ Ottogalli, Six & Terret 2014, p. 17
- ^ Ottogalli, Six & Terret 2014, p. 18
- ^ Ottogalli, Six & Terret 2014, p. 19
- ^ Ottogalli, Six & Terret 2014, p. 20
- ^ Ottogalli, Six & Terret 2014, p. 38
- ^ Yuliya Fedorinova (8 December 2012). "Billionaire Usmanov Re-Elected Head of World Fencing Federation". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
- ^ "Alisher Usmanov re-elected by FIE". SportsPro. 29 November 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
- ^ "The International Fencing Federation". The International Fencing Federation website. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
- ^ "Putin congratulates Usmanov on reelection as president of International Fencing Federation".
- ^ "'Unfair': One of Putin's favourite Russian billionaires is absolutely filthy". news.com.au. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
- ^ "Oligarch Usmanov stands aside as FIE President in wake of EU sanctions". Inside the Games. 1 March 2022.
- ^ "The International Fencing Federation". Fie.org. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
- ^ "EFC Executive Committee passes no-confidence vote in President Pozdnyakov". Inside the Games. 9 April 2022.
- ^ Patrick Burke (10 March 2023). "FIE approves return of Russian and Belarusian fencers in time for start of Paris 2024 qualifying". Inside the Games.
- ^ "Denmark cancels event over Russian, Belarusian participation". 30 March 2023.
- ^ "Fencing World Cup in France cancelled after governing body readmits Russians". 31 March 2023.
- ^ "Germany cancels World Cup event after Russia, Belarus readmitted". 17 March 2023.
- ^ "Fencing in turmoil after irked Poles cancel World Cup event". 5 April 2023.
- ^ "This is the remarkable Easter message from the European Fencing Federation and its president Giorgio Scarso to the world federation @FIE_fencing under Russian thumb..."
- ^ "EFC COMEX MEETING AND CONGRESS 2023". 24 June 2023.
- ^ Philip Barker (14 June 2023). "Russian fencer loses chance to compete at European Championships after liking posts supporting war in Ukraine". Inside the Games.
- ^ Patrick Burke (20 May 2023). "FIE strips individual European Games events of Olympic qualifying status". Inside the Games.
- ^ Geoff Berkeley (5 June 2023). "Exclusive: Nordic nations urge FIE to reverse Olympic qualifying decision for European Games". Inside the Games.
- ^ "World Fencing Championships: Ukraine's Olga Kharlan disqualified for refusing Russian Anna Smirnov's handshake". BBC Sport. 27 July 2023.
- ^ "World Fencing Championships: Ukraine's Olga Kharlan disqualified for refusing Russian Anna Smirnov's handshake". BBC. 27 July 2023.
- ^ Aadi Nair (27 July 2023). "Ukrainian fencer disqualified from world championships for refusing handshake with Russian opponent; Olga Kharlan offered to touch blades after beating Anna Smirnova, who then staged a sit-down protest at the handshake refusal". The Independent.
- ^ Dedaj, Paulina (27 July 2023). "Olympic gold medalist disqualified from World Championships after refusing handshake with Russian opponent; Olga Kharlan is a four-time individual world champion". Fox News.
- ^ Borger, Julian (27 July 2023). "Ukraine calls for disqualified fencer to be reinstated after anti-Russia protest". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
Smirnova approached the Ukrainian to shake hands, but Kharlan, an Olympic champion, held up her sabre instead and walked away.
- ^ Svitlana Vlasova and Tim Lister (27 July 2023). "Ukraine's top fencer disqualified from world championship after refused handshake with Russian". CNN.
- ^ "Брат росіянки Смірнової, якій не потиснула руку Ольга Харлан, служить в російській армії. А сама Смірнова робить з ним такі ось світлини. Це теж "спорт поза політикою"?". Base of Ukrainian sports. 27 July 2023.
- ^ Glynn A. Hill (27 July 2023). "Ukrainian fencer DQ’d after refusing handshake with Russian opponent", The Washington Post.
- ^ "Der Deutsche Fechter-Bund erklärt zu der Disqualifikation von Olga Kharlan bei den Weltmeisterschaften in Mailand". Deutscher Fechter-Bund. 28 July 2023.
- ^ Borger, Julian (27 July 2023). "Ukraine calls for disqualified fencer to be reinstated after anti-Russia protest". The Guardian.
- ^ "World Fencing Championships: Ukraine's Olga Kharlan disqualified for refusing Russian Anna Smirnov's handshake". Yahoo Sports. 27 July 2023.
- ^ a b "Ukrainian Fencer Disqualified After Refusal To Shake Hands With Russian Opponent". Radio Free Europe; Radio Liberty. 27 July 2023.
- ^ "Pour la Russie, le CIO a choisi le camp de l'Ukraine". 28 July 2023.
- ^ "International Fencing Federation decides to cancel mandatory handshake". Ukrainska Pravda. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
- ^ Ottogalli, Six & Terret 2014, pp. 168–172
- ^ Ottogalli, Six & Terret 2014, p. 222
- ^ "Fédération internationale d'escrime". Olympedia. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
- ^ "List of the federations". Fédération Internationale d'Escrime. Retrieved 1 April 2013.[non-primary source needed]
Sources
- Ottogalli, Cécile; Six, Gérard; Terret, Thierry (2014). L'Histoire de l'escrime. 1913–2013, un siècle de Fédération internationale d'escrime. Biarritz: Atlantica. ISBN 978-2-7588-0485-7. FIE100.
External links
Media related to Fédération Internationale d'Escrime at Wikimedia Commons