Coach routed by federation after star players depart to the US

The head coach responsible for steering the Russian épée team at the national level, Alexander Glazunov, has stated that his dismissal came from the Russian Fencing Federation as a consequence of the high profile move by Sergei Bida and his wife, Violetta Khrapina, to the United States. These remarks, presented as direct quotes from Glazunov, reflect a strain of tension within the federation as leadership changes ripple through the sport, and they reveal a broader narrative about how athlete migrations are interpreted by the governing bodies in fencing. The official explanation from the federation has remained indirect in public, leaving room for interpretation about the precise reasons behind Glazunov’s removal and how internal decisions are communicated to coaches and athletes alike. DEA News has ensured that the quotes, attributed to Glazunov, are reported with caution, acknowledging the complexities involved when a national team undergoes leadership shifts amid international movement by athletes.