Russian army officers among 40 'neutral' athletes approved for Fencing World Championships

FIE published the list of athletes on its website.

As noted, 40 neutral fencers with Russian and Belarusian passports were admitted to the world championship.

Among them is Sofia Velikaya, a major in the Russian Armed Forces and a confidant of Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin in the 2024 elections. On April 18, 2025, Ukraine added the athlete to the sanctions list for 10 years.

The list also includes Yana Yegoryan, a lieutenant, and Olga Nikitina, a warrant officer in the Russian army.

In addition, despite the IOC's recommendations, the FIE allowed neutral athletes to participate in team competitions.

Two-time Olympic fencing champion Olha Harlan reacts to the admission of neutral athletes with Russian passports to the World Cup.

"'Neutrals' are getting closer to the World Championships in Tbilisi. Well done, FIE," Harlan wrote on her social media.

She added a photo of the fencers with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu.

• The 2025 World Fencing Championships will be held in Tbilisi from July 22 to 26.