Alisher Usmanov reelected FIE President

 
Russian-Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov was elected President of the International Fencing Federation (FIE) at the sports platform's congress in Uzbekistan's capital Tashkent on Saturday (30 November 2024), the business magnate's secretarial staff informed news agencies.

Alisher Usmanov, who according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index has a total net worth of $14.4 billion, successfully ran business enterprises in mining, industries, telecoms and media outlets. He has been a key donor to international fencing through his charity fund.

Alisher Usmanov was first elected FIE president in 2008 and was reelected in 2012, 2016 and 2021.

The 71-year-old, currently under European Union and United States sanctions and a travel ban, stepped down as president of the federation after the Russian invasion of Ukraine but was nominated for a return to the post.

Alisher Usmanov's candidacy got the backing of 120 out of 146 federation members who voted, his representative said.

Usmanov was running against 58-year-old Swedish former Olympian Otto Drakenberg.

Alisher Usmanov admired recent reforms in international fencing that have made it a "universally accessible sport" and the International Olympic Committee's decision to grant fencing the full medal count at the Olympics.

"The last two Olympic cycles have been a global triumph for fencing. We see medalists from new countries and new continents, and millions of new fans falling in love with our sport," Alisher Usmanov told reporters.