Alisher Usmanov: The Man Who Funds Fencing

[@OlympicFoil]

I'm still shocked that the call at 6:18 wasn't overturned on video 😱 when I watched that match for the first time I nearly had a stroke when the ref came back and didn't give it to Berthier.

[@christianalbertjahns2577]

I assume Berthier doesn't qualify, as a result

[@OlympicFoil]

@@christianalbertjahns2577 In the end she won the match, and landed a spot at tokyo

[@christianalbertjahns2577]

@@OlympicFoil good to hear that potentially some dirty politics didn't cost her her qualification

[@iainmcclure416]

The criticism of "Paper Federations" is still valid. Some FIE members receive handouts and generous expenses for global travel, support Usmanov and his cronies - and still have almost no competitive fencing taking place! And fencing isn't growing as a global sport because of this system.

[@esgrimaxativa5175]

great work! keep it up and maybe he will sponsor you. Your choice of showing these two bouts from the Asian Olympic qualifier tournament is quite interesting.

[@SlicerSabre]

Thanks man

[@donaldbadowski290]

Sharikov was right, sort of. He complained of the inconsistencies of referees by what he saw as too many un-qualified (read non-European) refs being pushed up to the international level. But you know what happens if you don't include refs, qualified or otherwise, from around the world? As for the inconsistency, that's our own fault. I once asked a high level ref from my division, who was giving a referee class, why the USFA or FIE didn't put out videos explaining how actions should be called. "Oh no, that would take away the evolution of the sport!" And I asked if that didn't leave us continuously bickering about calls? He was used to it. And I don't think inconsistency between refs is the problem today. We have a problem with refs coming to a consensus of ROW that changes for what reasons we never know, at the top level, which trickles down the the lower levels, forcing everyone to change. And the strangest of all is that the refs themselves admit the changes happen, yet are sure they will change back again. Last point. When I started fencing in the 90s my American coach told me that American refs were often called up to the highest levels not because they were so damn good, but because they were so damned honest. Anyone have any stories about that?

[@snowblow1984]

Higher the level, better the refs it appears. At the lower level, there's blatant favoritism which is very detrimental to the sport.

[@donaldbadowski290]

@@СергейМ-я2е , boxing? WADA? I'm a boxing fan as well (never had my brains punch in) and know all about the inconsistencies of drug testing. But to be fair, that is the sanctioning bodies that allow the boxers to compete after a positive PED result, not the boxing referees. And that has nothing to do with making an honest ROW call.

[@Marco-s9x]

Mr .Usmanov Attenzione alla mamma santissima ed ai poteri del nord Eutopa

[@dmitrir5724]

Where i can watch Olymp. Zonal Asia final ????? Foil woman ???? Can you give link ????

[@SlicerSabre]

Here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4nUh3mAeK-SmM0

[@dmitrir5724]

@@SlicerSabre Thanks 👍👍👍

[@snowblow1984]

is there a link to the letter?

[@SlicerSabre]

Here: web.archive.org/web/20090614222445/www.fencingfuture.org/cntnt/rus/rus_fond/rus_news/n799.html

[@snowblow1984]

@@SlicerSabre Thanks! It's a pretty sharply worded letter. Hard to disagree.

[@СергійРоманенко-м7о]

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[@AlbertChang17]

The final part doesn't make any sense to me. Are you accusing Usmanov of personally interfering in minor bouts like the Olympic qualifiers? If that's the worst you could come up with in 12 years of his administration, that's hilarious.

[@SlicerSabre]

The finals of Olympic qualifiers are not "minor bouts" lol

[@AlbertChang17]

@@SlicerSabre They're 'minor bouts' because only fencers that couldn't qualify normally have to go through them. They're more minor than T16 at a WC/GP. Also, want to actually address the comment or?

[@SlicerSabre]

I guess it's just coincidence then when at the Asian qualifiers in Uzbekistan the referees favor the Uzbeks, whilst the FIE's sugar daddy also happens to be from Uzbekistan. Look I wasn't looking to make a hit piece, if you are looking for dirt on Usmanov then you can do your own research. All I want to say is that when one single man holds so much power it's not ridiculous to suggest that he might occasionally use it for his own of his friends benefit.

[@AlbertChang17]

​@@SlicerSabre Uzbekistan has never even medaled at the Olympics, so if there is any influence it clearly isn't going very high up. Even then, you point to a case of favoritism here and immediately blame it on Usmanov, but when Italians get a huge amount of referee favoritism and leeway with their conduct, I don't see you popping up to complain about corruption or deliberate fixing. It's not ridiculous to suggest that he might use it for friends' benefit (kind of hard to tell what you're trying to write), but to use two bouts from the past 12 years as 'evidence' is fatuous and downright pathetic.

[@snowblow1984]

@@SlicerSabre I think Usmanov is more of a ex-Soviet citizen and internationalist at that. Sure he is an oligarch with criminal past but at the same time he is a saber fan. He gives money for fencing which can't be said for many other Russian oligarchs. They just buy more yachts. My coach who is the same age as Usmanov and from the same region told me a few stories about Usmanov donating money for fencing causes right and left. We have many oligarchs in US and I don't see them financing fencing. Many clubs are struggling. So, yes I get your point about a lot of power and influence monopolized by one man, but hey at list he is a saber fan boy and subsidizes sports.