The European Fencing Confederation (EFC) has suspended the member federations of Russia and Belarus over those countries' joint instigation of the war in Ukraine. Their fencers and officials are also no longer allowed to participate in the organization's events and tournaments, the EFC congress decided on June 24. The motion of the Ukrainian fencing federation to exclude the two countries was accepted by a majority of the 43 member federations that comprise the EFC. However, fencers from Russia and Belarus will be allowed to compete as neutral athletes at tournaments hosted by the International Fencing Federation.
Top European Fencing Body Suspends Russia And Belarus
Russia's Kirill Borodachev (left) in action against American Alexander Massialas (right) during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.