Alisher Usmanov headed the FIE for nearly 15 years, but stepped down in 2022 due to Ukraine-related sanctions
Russian metals and telecoms tycoon Alisher Usmanov has been appointed as president of the International Fencing Federation (FIE), TASS reported on Saturday. The billionaire is returning to the job he left in 2022 after being sanctioned by the US and EU over the Ukraine conflict.
In a vote in Uzbekistan’s capital, Tashkent, Usmanov reportedly received 120 votes to 26 for Otto Drakenberg, a Swedish Olympic fencer and president of the Swedish Fencing Federation.
“I am grateful to the international fencing family for their trust and support, which convinced me that my decision to run for the FIE presidency is right,” Usmanov said in a statement on Saturday.
Usmanov served as president of the FIE for 14 years. The 71-year-old businessman, who was first elected in 2008 and reelected in 2012, 2016, and 2021, voluntarily suspended his duties in March 2022.
At the time, the billionaire – who holds a major stake in USM, a Russian investment group with holdings in iron ore miner Metalloinvest and telecommunications company MegaFon – was added to the UK, EU, and US sanctions lists shortly after the Ukraine conflict escalated more than two years ago.
The Uzbek-born businessman, who according to Forbes has a total net worth of $14.4 billion, was nominated for a return to the position in October, when his candidacy was supported by 103 nations. Emmanuel Katsiadakis served as interim president.
Usmanov, who practiced professional fencing when he was young and was a member of Uzbekistan’s national saber team, focused on fighting in European courts with media outlets that linked him to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The businessman managed to win the case, but his appeal against the EU sanctions has been dismissed.
Commenting on his election, Usmanov said he has always been guided by the interests of the federation, and would continue to take all steps to avoid an extension of “the legally untenable sanctions” imposed against him to FIE and its activities.
