The International Fencing Federation (FIE) has decided to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete again in tournaments under the auspices of the organization.

It is reported by Inside the games.

The Extraordinary FIE Congress held a series of votes, as a result of which it was decided to return the representatives of the two countries to international sports "

In individual tournaments, 89 votes were for the return of Russians and Belarusians, 46 were against. In team tournaments for - 85 votes, against - 51. 88 votes supported the return of officials to tournaments, while 48 votes were against.

Two attempts by the Ukrainian Fencing Federation to postpone voting failed.

The lifting of the ban is expected to take effect in April, after which the Russians and Belarusians will be able to travel to the World and European Championships in the summer and participate in the selection for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

The issue of banning the flags and anthems of both countries remains open.

Everything will depend on the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee.

Recall that in the past the International Fencing Federation was led by Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, who left this post after the start of a full-scale military invasion of the Russian Federation into Ukraine. The current acting president of the FIE is Greek Emmanuel Katsiadakis..

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Last year, the Ukrainian Fencing Federation urged the international federation to block the return of the Russians.