Fencing: Individual European Championships held in Poznan postponed due to the return of the Russians

The European Games, held in Poznan (Poland) from 21 June to 2 July, will no longer serve as individual European Championships according to the latest updated calendar of the International Fencing Federation (FIE). This is the consequence of the lifting of sanctions against Russian and Belarusian fencers.

New individual European championships are therefore to be organised in October, according to a member of the FIE executive committee. Shooters from both countries have not yet made their return to competition since the FIE lifted widespread sanctions against them at the end of March. But a final list of those meeting the neutrality criteria, as recommended by the IOC, will be unveiled soon, "within ten days", according to a member of the executive committee.

Other sports affected by visa problems in Poland?

Fears surrounding the possibility of these athletes obtaining an entry visa to Poland, a key supporter of Ukraine, led the executive committee to deprive the individual competition of the European Games of its value from the European Championships. The tournament will therefore not allocate the corresponding points in the race for Olympic qualification for next year's Paris Olympics.

On the other hand, the team events in the 3 weapons (foil, épée and sabre) will grant the European title and the points going with it. The problem encountered by fencing could arise for other sports. Among those present at the European Games, several others such as canoeing, shooting or table tennis have lifted sanctions against Russians and Belarusians. Warsaw put in place travel restrictions last September as part of sanctions against Russia after its invasion of Ukraine.