The International Fencing Federation (FIE) allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in international competitions. The corresponding decision was made at an extraordinary congress of the International Fencing Federation, reports Inside The Games.. 89 members voted for the return of fencers from aggressor countries, 46 voted against. The decision will come into force in the second half of April, that is, the Russians and Belarusians will be represented at the European and World Championships in 2023.

It is not yet known whether the fencers of the aggressor countries will compete in a neutral status or under national flags. Recall that in March 2022, Russian and Belarusian fencers were suspended from international competitions due to the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation into Ukraine. In early June, the Russians turned to the FIE with a request to allow them to compete in a neutral status, but were refused.. In November, the International Fencing Federation extended the suspension of athletes from aggressor countries.