The International Fencing Federation (FIE) has authorized athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate as neutral competitors in the upcoming European and World Team Championships, according to reports from state media on Wednesday.

Under the leadership of Russian-Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov since 2008, the FIE was one of the first sports organizations to revoke the comprehensive ban that was placed following Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Despite this decision by the FIE, fencers from Russia and Belarus did not take part in the qualification events and will not be represented at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The state-owned news agency TASS indicated that the athletes will be allowed to compete under the FIE banner during the European Championships in Italy in June and the World Championships in Georgia in July.

Ilgar Mamedov, President of the Russian Fencing Federation, expressed support for this development but noted that the team would be considered “weakened” due to ongoing limitations.

Mamedov mentioned to TASS, “We are hopeful that the next phase will involve the complete inclusion of all fencers who are still barred from competing, along with their coaches.”

Previously, the FIE had permitted Russian junior fencers to compete as neutrals at the world junior championships held last month.