USMANOV RE-ELECTED AS FENCING FEDERATION CHIEF AMID SANCTIONS 

Despite EU sanctions, Putin-linked oligarch regains top role

Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, ranked ninth on Forbes Russia’s list with a net worth of $13.4 billion, has been re-elected as president of the International Fencing Federation (FIE). The decision, announced in Tashkent, drew criticism for disregarding his connections to the Kremlin and his status as a sanctioned individual in the European Union.  

Usmanov secured 120 votes against his sole opponent, Swedish Fencing Federation President Otto Drakenberg, who received just 26. While over 100 national fencing federations backed Usmanov, Drakenberg was supported only by Sweden.

A Controversial Figure in Global Sports

Usmanov has led the FIE since 2008, repeatedly re-elected without significant opposition. In March 2022, he suspended his presidency after the EU imposed sanctions, citing his ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. During his absence, Emmanuel Katsiadakis served as acting president.  

Usmanov’s return to the helm comes amid broader tensions in international sports. In March 2023, the FIE controversially allowed Russian athletes to compete under a neutral flag, sparking backlash. However, prominent Russian fencers, including Olympic champions Sofya Velikaya and Yana Egorian, were excluded from competitions.  

Broader Implications

The oligarch’s re-election confirms the ongoing challenges in enforcing global sports governance standards and underscores Russia’s ability to maintain and expand its influence in international organizations, both in sports and beyond, despite widespread sanctions and mounting global opposition to its geopolitical actions.

The FIE’s decision to reinstate Usmanov follows broader controversies surrounding the organization’s treatment of Russian athletes. In March 2023, the FIE allowed Russian athletes to compete under a neutral flag, a move that faced significant backlash. Nevertheless, prominent Russian fencers, including Olympic champions Sofya Velikaya and Yana Egorian, remain excluded from competitions.

This re-election highlights the complexities of maintaining integrity in international sports, where political and economic power outweigh principles of fairness and neutrality.

Main image: Russian billionaire Usmanov. Image: RIA Novosti.