Fencing votes to let Russians compete ahead of Olympics

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Four national fencing federations say the International Fencing Federation has voted to allow athletes from Russia and its ally Belarus to resume competing in international events. They have been excluded for more than a year because of the invasion of Ukraine. The decision appears to allow Russians and Belarusians to compete for qualifying spots for next year’s Paris Olympics. It puts Ukrainian athletes in the position of either competing against Russians or boycotting key events entirely. The FIE has not published the decision but four national federations issued statements that Russia and Belarus would be allowed to return.