The International Fencing Federation (FIE) has stripped Estonia of the right to host the European Fencing Championships this year due to its refusal to issue visas to athletes from Russia and Belarus.
This was reported to Õhtuleht by Aivar Paalberg, the Secretary General of the Estonian Fencing Federation (EVL). According to him, the FIE made this decision on January 14, but Estonia was only notified a week later. The competition has been moved from Tallinn to the French city of Antony, and will take place from June 16 to 21.
Estonia was awarded the right to host the European Fencing Championships in 2024. In November 2025, the FIE stated that the organization would move or cancel competitions in cases where athletes were not allowed to participate based on nationality. Additionally, the FIE demanded written guarantees from the Estonian authorities for the admission of fencers from Russia and Belarus. Tallinn announced its refusal to comply with these demands.
"Previously, there was a verification of biographical data — athletes were not allowed to have connections with influential structures — but now it is enough to sign a declaration stating that you are against the war. In principle, you can be a military officer and declare that you are against the war — for a private individual, that is sufficient," noted the Secretary General of the EVL.
Russian fencers were suspended from participating in international tournaments in March 2022 following the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. In the spring of 2025, the FIE allowed Russians to participate in fencing competitions under a neutral status, and by the end of the year, juniors were permitted to compete with national symbols.
