Russian businessman of Uzbekistani origin Alisher Usmanov was re-elected as president of the International Fencing Federation (FIE) at a congress held on 30 November in Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Sports said.
Usmanov secured 120 votes, compared to his opponent, president of the Swedish Fencing Federation Otto Drakenberg, who received 26 votes.
The 71-year-old Usmanov’s candidacy was announced in late October, with support from fencing federations in over 100 countries. Drakenberg’s bid, on the other hand, was supported solely by Sweden.
Usmanov had led the FIE since 2008. In November 2021, he was re-elected as president for another term. However, in March 2022, he suspended his role following sanctions imposed on him by the European Union in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. During this time, Emmanuel Katsiadakis of Greece served as acting president of the FIE.
The Ukrainian Fencing Federation (UFF) condemned the congress’s decision to re-elect Usmanov, alleging that the election process appeared to be predetermined. They criticized holding the election in Usmanov’s homeland of Uzbekistan and the early circulation of letters of support for Usmanov from over 100 national federations by FIE leadership.
The UFF announced its intent to respond through legal avenues, similar to its previous efforts, which ensured Ukrainian athletes' participation in the Olympics and excluded Russian competitors.
Following Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Usmanov, like many Russian businessmen and politicians, was subjected to sanctions by the EU, the US, the UK, Japan, Canada, Australia and other nations.
In September 2022, Usmanov described these sanctions as a “colossal mistake”, vowing to continue fighting against them and defending his family members, who were also targeted by the restrictions.
