SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Drakenberg's tough match - challenging the oligarch

Otto Drakenberg steps onto the track. The opponent is not just anyone – the Uzbek billionaire Alisjer Usmanov. One of them will be elected as the next president of the International Fencing Federation.

» Published: 30 October 2024

Drakenberg's tough match - challenging the oligarch
Photo: Oscar Larsson/Svenska fäktförbundet

The Swede is not afraid of duels or of expressing his opinions. In February last year, he raised questions about the rights of hbtqi individuals and women in Saudi Arabia at the federation's congress.

From the podium, he was outvoted, shouted down, and told to stop.

Now he's taking on a new fight, against the powerful oligarch Usmanov, in his hometown of Tashkent on November 30.

Never had as a goal

Drakenberg's candidacy is rooted in a concern about the development within international fencing.

"We have tried to convince other international fencing leaders to run, but failed. For us, it's so important to uphold democracy that we finally decided I would become a candidate. It has never been my goal to become chairman of the International Fencing Federation, but if I'm elected, I'll do my best to develop international fencing in all regions of the world. I believe I'll be able to make good use of my experiences from both sports and business," says Drakenberg in a press release.

Alisher Usmanov is subject to sanctions from, among others, the EU, USA, Canada, and Switzerland.

Usmanov was forced to step down from the chairmanship when the federation's bank accounts were frozen a few days after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Formally, the International Fencing Federation has been governed by a secretary general since March 2022, and officially, Usmanov has had no role.

Cannot be chairman

"It's reasonable that the person leading world fencing is not persona non grata in parts of the world. The chairman must be able to represent fencing's interests everywhere and be the one who openly and clearly takes responsibility for the organization's decisions. It's not possible for Usmanov to fulfill that task in this situation," Drakenberg believes.

Usmanov has been chairman since 2008, and in the three most recent elections, there has been no opposing candidate. He represents Russia, despite being an Uzbek citizen.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Tough buildup with daughter: "Tears were streaming"
2 MIN READ

Tough buildup with daughter: "Tears were streaming"

"Amorim: We're building a new club"
2 MIN READ

"Amorim: We're building a new club"

The return match in the top division qualifying round is moved
1 MIN READ

The return match in the top division qualifying round is moved

He takes over the world's toughest football job
3 MIN READ

He takes over the world's toughest football job

Oscar Wendt Ends His Career
1 MIN READ

Oscar Wendt Ends His Career

Appealed too late – must pay 630 million
1 MIN READ

Appealed too late – must pay 630 million

Finland's national team captain is fired
1 MIN READ

Finland's national team captain is fired

The Club Avoids Bankruptcy – But the Crisis Is Not Over
1 MIN READ

The Club Avoids Bankruptcy – But the Crisis Is Not Over

F1 star's nightmare – wrong rear wing
1 MIN READ

F1 star's nightmare – wrong rear wing

Sundling's Premier Crush: "I'm Grateful"
2 MIN READ

Sundling's Premier Crush: "I'm Grateful"

Young star won – injury stopped Halfvarsson
2 MIN READ

Young star won – injury stopped Halfvarsson

Hammarby investigated after coin throwing
1 MIN READ

Hammarby investigated after coin throwing

Swedish Premier League defender operated
1 MIN READ

Swedish Premier League defender operated

Zlatan loses notorious lawsuit – appeals
2 MIN READ

Zlatan loses notorious lawsuit – appeals

Denmark's Former Prime Minister Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt Wants Saudi World Championship
1 MIN READ

Denmark's Former Prime Minister Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt Wants Saudi World Championship

Jonna Sundling superior in qualifying: "Like Bambi"
1 MIN READ

Jonna Sundling superior in qualifying: "Like Bambi"

The Message: Alexander Ovechkin Out for at Least a Month
1 MIN READ

The Message: Alexander Ovechkin Out for at Least a Month

Truls Möregårdh lost to the world number one: "Not fun"
2 MIN READ

Truls Möregårdh lost to the world number one: "Not fun"

Netflix Sued Over Issues During Boxing Match
1 MIN READ

Netflix Sued Over Issues During Boxing Match

Reluctant Poster Girl in Donald Duck and Talk Show
4 MIN READ

Reluctant Poster Girl in Donald Duck and Talk Show