Germany refused to host the tournament, which allowed the Russians and Belarusians

The German Fencing Federation (DFB) has refused to host the women's foil World Cup. For the first time since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russian and Belarusian athletes were to participate in this international tournament.

The competition was to take place on May 5-6 in Tauberbischofshofsheim.

Claudia Bokel, president of the DFB, said that the decision of the International Fencing Federation (FIE) Congress to return Russia and Belarus had sparked heated debate both inside and outside Germany.

"As before, we stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, who are suffering from an aggressive war. We want to send a clear signal that a different outcome is needed in the situation with the admissions of athletes from the Russian Federation and Belarus. A large number of open questions about the implementation of the FIE decision make the tournament impossible," Bockel said.

The DFB president added that as much as she would like to present the best German athletes to their home crowd and give them the opportunity to use their home advantage on the way to the Olympic Games in Paris, "the circumstances do not allow another decision here."

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, on March 10, the FIE decided to lift the suspension of athletes from Russia and Belarus from competitions under the organisation's auspices. Starting in mid-April, representatives of the aggressor countries will be able to return to the track and compete for medals despite the ongoing war in Ukraine.

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