**Russian Diplomats Condemn Protest Against Russian Athletes in Georgia**
The Russian diplomatic outpost in Georgia has spoken out against a protest that took place outside the World Fencing Championship in Tbilisi. The protest, which occurred on July 27, was directed against Russian athletes participating under neutral status in the competition.
According to the Russian Interests Section at the Swiss Embassy in Georgia, the protesters were a “well-known group of politically motivated individuals” who were trying to play the anti-Russian card and damage Tbilisi’s reputation as host city. The protesters burned a Russian flag and condemned the participation of Russian athletes in the championship.
The Russian Interests Section accused the Georgian authorities of not taking sufficient measures to ensure fair and non-discriminatory competition, and called on them to take necessary steps to prevent such incidents in the future.
**Background**
The World Fencing Championship is currently underway in Tbilisi, with 24 Russian athletes participating under neutral status. Among them are Major Sofya Velikaya, Lieutenant Yana Egorian, and Warrant Officer Olga Nikitina, who have been honored directly by Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, their participation has been met with criticism from some quarters, including over 400 international fencers who called on the International Fencing Federation (FIE) to reverse its decision.
**Reactions**
The protest in Tbilisi was widely condemned in Moscow, with Russian State Duma Deputy Dmitry Svishchev calling on the Georgian authorities and the FIE to respond to what he described as an “unprecedented provocation.” Svishchev accused Ukrainian athletes of being involved in planning the protest.
“This is a well-planned action and provocation,” Svishchev said. “The International Federation must respond as well. We don’t know who orchestrated it, although I read that Ukrainian athletes were preparing a protest, a provocation. Apparently, this was it.”
**Context**
This incident comes amidst a backdrop of strained relations between Russia and Georgia, particularly with regards to sports events. In March 2024, Georgian wrestlers participated in a Russian tournament featuring athletes from occupied territories, sparking controversy.
**Read More**
For more on this story, see our previous articles:
* Georgian Wrestlers Participate in Russian Tournament, Featuring Sportsmen from Occupied Territories
* Georgian Flag Featured at BRICS Games, Sparking Controversy
Read More @ civil.ge
