In Poland, called the condition for the participation of Russians in the stage of the Fencing World Cup

Athletes from Russia will be allowed to participate in the Fencing World Cup stage, which will be held in Poland in April, if they sign a statement of disagreement with the conduct of a special military operation by the Russian Federation. About this TASS writes with reference to the press service of the Polish Fencing Federation.

“The Polish Fencing Federation maintains its intention to organize the World Cup stage in Poznan, observing the rules for the admission of athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate in competitions, provided for by the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) dated March 28,” the statement said.

The federation also spoke about its right to strictly control the fulfillment by athletes of the two countries of the criteria listed in the recommendations of the IOC. The statement says that athletes and support personnel from Russia and Belarus will be required to submit a written application. In the document, they will have to indicate that the participants in the competition “comply with the rules of neutrality, do not support the NVO, are not military personnel and do not work in the Russian or Belarusian armed forces or national security agencies,” TASS notes.

Athletes will also be banned from flying flags, playing anthems, and displaying the national colors and any other identifying marks of the two countries. The Women’s Foil Fencing World Cup will take place in Poznań from 21 to 23 April.

Earlier this week, the Minister of Sports and Tourism of the Republic, Kamil Bortnichuk, said that the Polish authorities demand from athletes from Russia to sign a statement condemning the military operation in Ukraine for participation in the European Games.

On January 25, the IOC voted for the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international competitions in a neutral status. This week, IOC President Thomas Bach said that the organization supports the admission of athletes in a neutral status, however, for this, athletes must not support the IOC and not be associated with the Russian and Belarusian armed forces or national security agencies. In particular, they will only be able to participate in individual sports.

Earlier, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the Kremlin would continue to defend the interests of Russian athletes in international sports and would continue contacts with the IOC “precisely to protect” these interests.