Russian Fencing Federation Chief Reacts to Polish Federation Demands
Ilgar Mammadov, president of the Russian Fencing Federation, addressed the need for Polish officials to demand a formal written application from domestic athletes. The request, he suggested, should include a clear condemnation of the special military operation as a condition for participation in competitions. Mammadov argued that the Polish federation has blurred the lines between sport and politics to a degree that complicates fair participation for athletes from Russia. He noted that the federation in Warsaw appears to treat sports as a venue for political signaling, which in his view undermines the integrity of international fencing competition. [Source: DEA News]
According to Mammadov, Polish leaders seem to forget that their organization is a sports federation first and foremost. He observed that political statements have become a recurring feature of communications from the federation, and he implied that many Russian athletes will not sign such requirements. The implication is that the policy creates a barrier to participation that many athletes find unacceptable. [Source: DEA News]
The question of whether Russian foil fencers will compete in Poland is addressed decisively. Mammadov stated that Russian participants will not take part under conditions they view as politically coercive. He stressed that requiring statements of condemnation as a prerequisite for entry into tournaments is unacceptable and runs counter to the principle of sport as a neutral arena for competition. The discussion extends to upcoming events, including a reference to a Poznan tournament and the June European Games, where participation could be affected even if the earlier condition is met. [Source: DEA News]
From Mammadov’s perspective, even a hypothetical scenario in which someone might be considered a traitor only applies to an earlier time frame, not the June schedule. He described such conditions as a form of political meddling and did not hesitate to label the rhetoric as misguided. The emphasis remained on upholding a policy that keeps sport separate from political judgments whenever possible, while recognizing the real tensions surrounding participation in international events. [Source: DEA News]
These developments occur against a backdrop of broader guidance from international organizations. On February 28, 2022, the International Olympic Committee issued a public appeal urging sports federations to consider the participation of domestic and Belarusian athletes with caution. The IOC stressed that neutrality should be preserved where athletes are not actively involved in hostilities. It also clarified that athletes representing law enforcement or armed forces would be subject to specific restrictions. This framework is part of ongoing debates about eligibility and the criteria that govern participation in major competitions. [Source: IOC public guidance]
In related commentary, Vic Wylde, a former two-time Olympic snowboarding champion, spoke on the Ukrainian authorities’ decision to bar their athletes from participating in qualifying events alongside Russian competitors. Wylde’s remarks reflect the broader concerns about how sanctions and eligibility decisions shape the competitive landscape for international sports. The dialogue illustrates the tension between national sports governance and the shared standards of international sport. [Source: DEA News]
The current situation underscores the delicate balance that national federations must strike when engaging with geopolitical realities while honoring the spirit of sport. Stakeholders across fencing communities, athletes, coaches, and officials are watching closely to see how future policy developments will affect the calendar of international events and the pathways for athletes who seek to compete abroad. The evolving conversation also highlights how international sports bodies, national associations, and athletes negotiate eligibility rules in an environment where political narratives often intersect with athletic opportunities. [Source: DEA News]