Sweden follows Germany in cancelling fencing events over Russia issue

Sweden has followed Germany and said it it would not be hosting two fencing events in September after the ruling body FIE had decided to re-admit athletes from Russia and Belarus, reported dpa.

Sweden was set to stage the SAF-Cup und the Rehbinder tournament September 17 and 18. But a federation statement on Friday said the events would not be held.

"It is completely out of the question that we would organise competitions with participation from these two countries when they have started a very bloody war in Ukraine," Swedish fencing federation president Otto Drakenberg said.

On Thursday, the German fencing body had said it was cancelling an upcoming women's foil World Cup event set for early May.

It came after the FIE decided to re-admit Russians and Belarusians as neutrals to allow them qualifying for the 2024 Olympics, subject to future recommendations from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Athletes from Russia and Belarus have been banned from competing in most international sports events since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine 13 months ago but the IOC has started to look into ways to have them return as neutrals and under strict rules for events including next year's Paris Games.