Sanctioned Russian Usmanov intends to lead the International Fencing Federation again.

Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov became a candidate for the presidency of the International Fencing Federation (FIE). He will be opposed by Swede Otto Drakenberg. The elections will take place on November 30 in Uzbekistan.

103 national federations supported Usmanov's candidacy, while only the Swedish Fencing Federation supported Drakenberg. Among Usmanov's supporters are Moldova, South Korea, Greece, Israel, Iceland, Romania, and Bulgaria.

Usmanov stepped down from his position in 2022 after the European Union imposed sanctions on him. He is also in the sanction lists of the United Kingdom, USA, Canada, Switzerland, Ukraine, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan due to his support of Russian aggression.

Ukrainian organizations addressed the president of the International World Games Association with a letter urging to maintain the ban on the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in future competitions. The letter highlights the ongoing aggression of Russia and the support of Belarus, calling for sanctions until the aggression ends and peace is restored.

The Ukrainian side noted that the International World Games Association already banned the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in competitions in 2022 and urged to maintain this restriction for future competitions in 2025. Ukraine hopes for support from the president of the International World Games Association and the international community.