FIE Lifts Restrictions on Russian and Belarusian Fencers

On June 2, 2026, the International Fencing Federation (FIE) announced that athletes and officials holding Russian and Belarusian passports will be permitted to participate in all FIE individual and team competitions under their respective national acronyms, uniforms, flags and anthems, beginning in July 2026.

The 2026 Senior World Championships are scheduled to take place in Hong Kong from July 22 to 30, 2026, and will mark the first senior FIE event at which the revised measures will be implemented.

The FIE stated that its decision was taken in accordance with the Fundamental Principles of the Olympic Charter, including non-discrimination, equal treatment and the universality of sport, as well as the objectives and principles set out in the FIE Statutes.

Previously, on December 11, 2025, the 14th Olympic Summit supported a recommendation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board that youth athletes holding Russian or Belarusian passports should be permitted to participate in international youth competitions, in both individual and team sports, without restrictions. The recommendation further provided that the definition of youth competitions and the manner of implementation would be determined by the regulations of each International Federation.

Thereafter, on December 27, 2025, the FIE Executive Committee published its decisions through Information Letter No. 29-25. Referring to the IOC Executive Board’s recommendation that “youth athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport should no longer be restricted in their access to international youth competitions, in both individual and team sports,” the FIE adopted a series of measures concerning Cadet and Junior fencers holding Russian or Belarusian passports, effective from January 2026.

The federation decided to cease the investigation of neutrality for Cadet and Junior fencers and clarified that these athletes would no longer be registered as Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs) for participation in FIE Cadet and Junior competitions. They were permitted to participate in both individual and team events under their national flags, country acronyms, anthems, uniforms and other standard national identifiers.

However, the FIE maintained the existing practice regarding AIN registration for Senior fencers and all support personnel, and clarified that participation by Senior fencers in FIE competitions would continue under the conditions already in force. The letter further stated that Cadet and Junior athletes choosing to compete in Senior events would do so under the existing AIN conditions applicable to Senior competitions.

Subsequently, developments within the Olympic Movement, including evolving IOC positions regarding participation restrictions, coincided with renewed consideration by international federations of their respective eligibility frameworks. On May 7, 2026, the IOC announced changes relating to its recommendations concerning the participation of Belarusian athletes and teams in competitions governed by International Federations and international sports event organisers, while indicating that implementation remained within the competence of the relevant sporting bodies.

The FIE’s latest decision effectively removes all remaining protective measures applicable to Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials within the sport of fencing. As a result, competitors from the two countries will return to full participation status at FIE events beginning with the 2026 Senior World Championships in Hong Kong, representing the final stage of the federation’s gradual relaxation of restrictions previously imposed under the AIN framework.