Alisher Usmanov Re-elected International Fencing President

Alisher Usmanov, a Russian-Uzbek billionaire and ally of Vladimir Putin, has been re-elected as president of the International Fencing Federation (FIE) during a congress in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, receiving 120 votes against 26 for his opponent, Otto Drakenberg. Usmanov, who has a net worth of $14.4 billion, was first elected to the FIE presidency in 2008 and has faced sanctions from the EU and the US due to his ties to the Kremlin. Although he stepped down in 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he has maintained support within the federation, and his return reflects ongoing efforts to navigate the complexities of international sports amid geopolitical tensions. Despite initial bans, the FIE allowed Russian and Belarusian fencers back into competition, though none participated in the recent Paris Olympics. Usmanov has expressed optimism about the growth of fencing as a sport and has praised reforms aimed at increasing its accessibility. His candidacy was notably supported by 103 countries, highlighting his influence in the sport's governance.