Two years ago, Otto Drakenberg caused a stir when he stood up for human rights during the FIE congress. Now he has decided to challenge for the chairmanship of the association.
Drakenberg is one of two candidates. The other is Alisher Usmanov, FIE’s suspended chairman, who this week surprisingly announced his intention to return.
Alisher Usmanov has close ties to Vladimir Putin. Photo: Alexei Nikolsky/AP
Usmanov, who was born in Uzbekistan and lived in Russia, became chairman in 2008 and has been re-elected three times. The billionaire is considered to have strong ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin and was one of the oligarchs sanctioned by the EU after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He then chose to suspend himself from FIE. The association has since been led by an interim chairman, the Greek Emmanuel Katsiadakis.
Ana Valero-Collantes, former board member of the Swedish Fencing Association, is one of the people responsible for the campaign to get Otto Drakenberg elected.
– From a European point of view, we have worked to get a good candidate and we are very happy that Otto is running, she says.
The Swedish chairman has made himself known for his criticism of FIE and has been praised for his defense of fair play, but he is said to be a controversial candidate in some circles. When Drakenberg stood up for human rights at the 2023 Congress, many countries did their best to silence him from the podium. The video, in which delegates are heard booing and banging their hands on the table, went viral.
Even at the 2021 congress, it became conflicted, when Usmanov urged the delegates not to vote for a Swedish proposal on new qualification rules for the Olympics.
Valero-Collantes explains that they decided to nominate Drakenberg even before they knew that Usmanov was a candidate. She says that it was only this week that the candidacy became official through FIE’s website and that, although there had been rumours, it came as a surprise.
– He is still suspended by the EU, so we wonder if he is really eligible, says Valero-Collantes.
71-year-old Usmanov is said to have pumped SEK 70 million annually into the association during his years as a fencer, which made him popular. On social media, his campaign management has claimed the oligarch has the support of over 100 countries ahead of the election, which takes place at the FIE congress in Usmanov’s native Uzbekistan at the end of November.
Usmanov recently sued the German television channel ARD, which claimed that the FIE bribed judges before the Paris Olympics. A court in Hamburg ruled in early October in favor of the oligarch and banned ARD from publishing the accusations while fining the television channel.
DN is looking for Otto Drakenberg.
Fencing’s Power Play: The Duel Between Idealism and Oligarchy
Ah, the world of fencing—the only sport where a duel is a pre-requisite and not just an awkward dinner with the in-laws. Otto Drakenberg has thrown his hat into the ring to challenge for the leadership of the International Fencing Federation (FIE), a prestigious position that, let’s be honest, has more twists and turns than a fencer’s blade. Two years ago, he ignited a fire when he bravely championed human rights during the FIE congress. Now, it’s like a sequel nobody asked for, but here we are with a plot twist!
The Contenders
Drakenberg isn’t the lone wolf in this battle; he’s up against Alisher Usmanov, the oligarch of all oligarchs, who seems to have so many ties to Vladimir Putin, you almost expect him to host a “What’s Up With Russia?” podcast. Usmanov, a man who could probably fence with dollar bills, has reigned as FIE’s chairman since 2008. However, after being sanctioned post-Ukraine invasion, he decided to go on sabbatical. But who knew he had a “Return of the Jedi” script in his back pocket? Spoiler alert: the Empire is striking back!
Valero-Collantes, who’s been busy playing campaign manager for Drakenberg, is perhaps the most enthusiastic cheerleader since someone tried to convince me kale tastes like potato chips. She’s gushing over Drakenberg’s candidacy, claiming they had “worked to get a good candidate.” But let’s not kid ourselves; finding a decent candidate in international sports governance feels like looking for your keys in a swimming pool. Best of luck!
Drama at the Congress
When Drakenberg stood up for human rights during the 2023 Congress, you’d think he was juggling chainsaws while riding a unicycle. Instead of cheers, he was met with boos and table thumping—a reception typically reserved for when you suggest pineapple on pizza. Who knew that wrestling with ethics in sports could be so controversial?
And then we have Usmanov, slashing through with his hefty annual contributions—SEK 70 million! That’s enough to fund a small country’s Olympic dreams. But in a shocking twist, this noble sum bought him more friends than a dog in a park. Usmanov’s campaign staff claims he’s got support from over 100 countries. Well, if I had that much money, I’d probably have a better social life too!
The Plot Thickens
As if the drama needed anything more, Usmanov recently took on German television for claiming FIE bribed judges before the Paris Olympics. The ruling in his favor means ARD can’t whisper another word about it, proving once and for all that money can indeed talk louder than the truth in the world of sports governance. And here’s the kicker—this grand showdown is set to air in Usmanov’s native Uzbekistan at the end of November. Grab your popcorn, folks; this is going to be a blockbuster!
The Takeaway
This epic clash between Drakenberg, the champion of human rights, and Usmanov, the oligarch with a colorful past, is shaping up to be more dramatic than a last-minute Olympic qualification match. With distinct polarities at play—idealism vs. oligarchy, whistleblowing vs. money laundering—one can only wonder what the outcome will be. Will Drakenberg pull a Cinderella story, or will Usmanov remind us all why money talks?
One thing’s for sure: when the dust settles, the only thing we’ll know for certain is that there’s no dull moment in the world of fencing politics!
Two years ago, Otto Drakenberg triggered a significant reaction when he boldly advocated for human rights during the pivotal FIE congress, drawing attention from worldwide media and fellow delegates alike. Now, in a move that could reshape the future of fencing governance, he has officially decided to challenge for the chairmanship of the association.
Drakenberg is one of two candidates vying for the prestigious position. The other candidate, Alisher Usmanov, the association’s suspended chairman, made headlines this week by unexpectedly declaring his intention to make a comeback to the role he previously held.
Alisher Usmanov, who was born in Uzbekistan and has had a significant presence in Russia, first ascended to the role of chairman in 2008 and has since been re-elected on three separate occasions. The billionaire oligarch is notably linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin and has faced international scrutiny, having been sanctioned by the EU following Russia’s aggressive invasion of Ukraine. In response to these sanctions, Usmanov opted to self-suspend from the FIE, leaving the organization under the temporary leadership of Greek interim chairman, Emmanuel Katsiadakis.
Ana Valero-Collantes, the former board member of the Swedish Fencing Association, has emerged as a prominent advocate for Otto Drakenberg’s candidacy, spearheading efforts to propel him into the leadership role. “From a European point of view, we have worked to secure a strong candidate, and we are very pleased that Otto is running,” she stated emphatically.
The Swedish chairman, Drakenberg, has gained recognition for his outspoken criticism of the FIE and has garnered praise for his unwavering defense of fair play and integrity within the sport. However, sources suggest that he is viewed as a controversial candidate among some factions. During the tumultuous 2023 Congress, when Drakenberg passionately stood up for human rights, numerous delegates attempted to silence him, leading to a chaotic scene that included booing and banging on tables—a video of which quickly went viral, further igniting public interest in his campaign.
Valero-Collantes clarified that their decision to nominate Drakenberg was made prior to their awareness of Usmanov’s candidacy. “It was only this week that the candidacy became official through the FIE’s website, and while there had been whispers and rumours circulating, his announcement truly caught us by surprise,” she remarked. Concerns linger regarding Usmanov’s suspension by the EU, raising questions about his eligibility for the position.
At 71 years old, Usmanov is reported to have injected an impressive SEK 70 million into the association annually throughout his tenure in fencing, which undoubtedly bolstered his popularity. His campaign management has actively claimed to have secured endorsements from over 100 nations as the election, slated for the upcoming FIE congress in Usmanov’s native Uzbekistan, approaches at the end of November.
In a striking legal battle, Usmanov recently took action against the German television network ARD, following their allegations that the FIE engaged in bribery of judges ahead of the highly anticipated Paris Olympics. A Hamburg court ruled in favor of Usmanov in early October, issuing a ban on ARD’s ability to publish these accusations while imposing fines on the media outlet for its coverage.
DN is actively seeking to connect with Otto Drakenberg to discuss his candidacy and vision for the future of the FIE.
