Following the recent FIE announcement and in light of the current travel restrictions, official guidance and recently published policy, BF publishes update on selecting athletes to attend the final direct qualification events for Tokyo.
The FIE has scheduled in the last direct qualification events for Tokyo in March (please see update here). There is one more direct qualification event per weapon, scheduled only for the purposes of completing the FIE Olympic qualification period.
Following the announcement, BF published it’s policy statement on selection for these events. All GBR fencers ranked in the top 10 of the BF Senior Rankings in each weapon were given the opportunity to put themselves forward to be assessed against the criteria laid out in the policy.
Epee
Epée World Cups (men and women): Kazan (RUS), 19-23 March
Since the original FIE announcement and published BF policy statement, the travel situation between the UK and Russia has been updated.
Entry requirements – Russia travel advice – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Russia travel advice – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
On 16 February 2021 the Russian authorities announced that the current suspension of direct flights between the UK and Russia would be in force until 11:59pm on 16 March 2021.
In addition, UK nationals are currently unable to enter from a country other than the UK, unless they have documented proof of their citizenship of the country of their departure or permanent residence in the country of their departure.
Under these restrictions it is therefore not currently possible for us to send GBR athletes to Kazan for the final qualifier as, even if flights resume from the 17 March athletes would not arrive in time to undergo the necessary quarantine and testing protocols.
BF will therefore not enter any GBR athletes for these competitions. The BF ADP team is liaising directly with all the athletes affected by this decision and will continue to support preparations for the Zonal qualifier.
Sabre
Sabre World Cups (men and women): Budapest (HUN), 10-14 March. Invitation here.
BF will be entering athletes in both the Women’s Sabre Individual and Men’s Sabre Individual and Team Events in accordance with the criteria published here. Subject to satisfactory completion of individual risk assessments and protocols required to be eligible for use of the elite exemption, the following athletes will travel.
Women’s Sabre: Caitlin Maxwell, 1 Elite Training Partner (tbc)
Men’s Sabre: Will Deary, JJ Webb, Elite Training Partner 1 (tbc), Cutis Miller (tbc pending assessment) OR Elite Training Partner 2 (tbc)
Team Manager: Jon Salfield
Physio: Sonia Fierro
Foil
Foil Grand Prix (men and women): Doha (QAT), 26-28 March. Invitation here.
BF will be entering athletes in both the Men’s and Women’s Individual Events (there are no team events) in accordance with the criteria published here. Subject to satisfactory completion of individual risk assessments and protocols required to be eligible for use of the elite exemption, the following athletes will travel.
Women’s Foil: Kate Beardmore, Yasmin Campbell
Men’s Foil: Marcus Mepstead, Richard Kruse
Team Manager: Johnny Davis
Personal Coach: Dan Kellner
Physio: Maria Goriup
Subscribe to our new weekly summary email featuring the previous week’s latest news and announcements. Sign up here.
Sign up to receive regular highlights from the exciting world of fencing - celebrating the best of our unique and inspiring community
