The titled Ukrainian sabre fencer condemned the decision of the FIE Congress to appoint Alisher Usmanov as president of the organization.
Two-time Olympic fencing champion Olga Harlan commented on the election of Russian oligarch Alisher UsmanovaPresident of the International Fencing Federation (FIE).
The Ukrainian sabre fencer posted an Instagram story where she harshly criticized the decision of the FIE Congress.
See also: From Beijing 2008 to Paris 2024: Two-time Olympic champion Harlan breaks historical record
“The decision of the FIE Congress on the presidential election… No, I'm not surprised. Unfortunately. Yes, I'm disappointed in the world of fencing. Disappointed in those who decided to play “this game”.
120 federations… That’s a lot. So. Big disappointment. “There are no more words,” Harlan wrote.
The election of the head of the organization took place on November 30 in Tashkent. In the voting, Usmanov received 120 votes. His rival, the president of the Swedish Fencing Federation Otto Drakenberg, received 26.
Usmanov previously headed the International Fencing Federation from 2008 to 2022, when he stepped down as president of the FIE after before the European Union imposed sanctions on him.
The decision to impose sanctions on him was justified by the fact that Usmanov has “especially close ties” with the president of the aggressor state, Vladimir Putin.
Recall that Kharlan won two medals at the 2024 Olympics in Paris: team gold and bronze in the individual championship. Olga now has six Olympic awards. She became Ukraine's absolute record holder for medals won at the Olympics.
