Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov nominated for new term as president of fencing’s governing body
FILE - Uzbek-born Russian businessman Alisher Usmanov attends a meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Crown Prince Sheik Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Sept. 12, 2013. (Maxim Shemetov/Pool Photo via AP, File)
LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov could be re-elected as president of fencing’s world governing body, the FIE, after he was nominated for a new term by most of the organization’s members.
Usmanov, whose funding has been important to fencing over the last two decades, was last re-elected in 2021 but stepped aside in March 2022 after he was placed under sanctions by the European Union following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Greek official Emmanuel Katsiadakis has served as interim president.
A statement by Usmanov on Tuesday didn’t specify whether he now intends to resume the day-to-day duties of FIE president.
Usmanov said he has been nominated by 103 of the FIE’s 156 national federations and thanked them for what he called “a sign of trust and recognition of the achievements of international fencing over the last 15 years.”
He added: “As before, I remain committed to my favorite sport and I wish the international fencing community further success and new sporting victories ahead.”
When he stepped aside in 2022, Usmanov said the decision to place him under sanctions was “unfair” and based on what he called “false and defamatory allegations.” He said that he was suspending his duties as president “until justice is restored.”
The FIE congress is being held Nov. 30 in Uzbekistan, where Usmanov was born.
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