"If we enter the international arena, we will quickly return to the lead"

Russian fencers have been partially admitted to international competitions in a neutral status since 2023. This is especially true for juniors. But the main stars are still banned, as they play for CSKA and wear shoulder straps of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation - in March 2023, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended a ban on athletes with ties to law enforcement agencies. Therefore, all titled Russian fencers cannot compete at the World and European Championships.

This also applies to Olympic champions in women's sabre Sofia Velikaya, Yana Egoryan and Olga Nikitina, who so far compete only within Russia, except for last year's BRICS Games in Kazan. And on the domestic stage, among others, they performed at the prestigious Moscow Sabre tournament in March, where Nikitina won, beating Egoryan in the final. In an interview with Izvestia, she told how after 2022 domestic competitions help keep the leaders at a high level, and also assessed the chances of an early return to the international arena.

— How did you win the Moscow Saber?

— That's a good question. Due to the desire for sure, I really wanted to win. At the expense of the coach, who kept telling me all the time, kept me in good shape. I tried to keep my concentration. It didn't always work out, but I did it anyway. I've worked very hard, I've been preparing, and that's the result.

— In the semifinals, you defeated the young Veronika Bulukova, considered the rising star of the Russian sabre. How do you assess its potential?

— Oh, I love Veronica. I like her fencing— it's sharp. Veronica is constantly thinking during the fight — she's doing a great job! I love her (laughs).

— Is she able to start constantly competing for medals within the country with you, Sofia Velikaya, Yana Yegoryan?

— There must be girls who will come to the top and compete with us. Such competition is necessary for the future. And the same Veronica is able to make it up. We are glad that there are such girls. If they didn't exist, then Russian fencing would have no future. But they are there and let them grow.

"A lot is changing in the world - maybe they will invite you to the Olympic Games"

Two—time Olympic fencing champion Sofya Velikaya talks about her chances to return to the international stage, her confrontation with Yana Yegoryan and her motivation to continue performing

— After three years of absence from the international arena, have you managed to maintain your performance level at the Olympics and World Championships? Do constant internal Russian confrontations between stars like you, Velikaya, and Yegoryan allow you to maintain your best condition?

— I think it's good that we have each other. And we keep in shape because our fencing is still at a high level. But even if we enter the international arena and it gets tense at first, I think we will quickly return to the lead. Because, in my opinion, we still maintain each other's level in internal competitions through constant face-to-face fights.

— So after the breakup, it will be more of a problem to get used to the traditional surroundings of such competitions again?

— Yes, yes, yes. International competitions still mean more stress, longer flights. You'll have to get used to it. Although I don't know, it's inaccurate (smiles). Maybe we can adapt to this situation right away. Let's see when it happens.

— Have you been following international competitions these three years?

"Of course I did. A good level. Good. It is clear that everyone is working hard. Someone leaves, someone comes. Someone is progressing over the years. Well done, everyone is working. It is clear that they are giving their best.

— Considering that in recent months Russian athletes have been actively allowed to participate in international competitions in a neutral status, do you expect this to affect you in the near future?

— My only hope is that we will be allowed to leave Russia. We'll see. I do not know — I live in the moment. And here it is impossible to guess, it is impossible to predict what will happen next. We're just practicing, getting ready. And there, as it will be, so it will be.

"Our juniors are eligible for the World Cup team championship"

President of the Fencing Federation Ilgar Mammadov — on the gradual lifting of isolation and his criticism of participation in tournaments in a neutral status

— Mikhail Degtyarev, Minister of Sports of the Russian Federation and President of the ROC, has consistently advocated for our athletes to compete in a neutral status, if possible, since last year, when he took up both posts. Is the issue of the flag important to you anyway?

— I will refrain from answering this question. But I think that it is necessary to act in any case. Because it is necessary to maintain the level. Those who can ride, let them ride. I think it's going to be a little difficult for us to get out anyway. And for the junior girls who are currently going to international competitions, and for the cadets, this is generally very important. They have never had such an experience in the international arena before. And it is 100% important for them to travel and compete in such competitions. And for their future, and to maintain the level of our fencing in general.