Three elite Russian fencers who fled the country after Russia invaded Ukraine are seeking to become U.S. citizens in time to represent America at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
They now have the backing of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and USA Fencing.
Both organizations have written letters in support of the Russians – Konstantin Lokhanov, Sergey Bida and Violetta Bida – according to copies of the letters obtained by USA TODAY Sports.
“All 3 of these individuals have made sacrifices at great personal cost,” wrote Phil Andrews, CEO of USA Fencing, in a letter to Congress dated Jan. 5, “and put their lives at risk to be able to represent our nation and we ask you to make every effort to support them in the extraordinary circumstance.”
But in an email to USA TODAY Sports, Andrews wrote, “Olympic selection is hotly contested, and of course simply the acquisition of citizenship is urgent to be selected through the ranking system used to decide the majority of Team USA.”
Jack Wiener, a New York attorney representing the fencers, said he and his co-counsel at the law firm Covington & Burling have begun reaching out to senators and representatives. “We have to move fast,” Wiener said.
For the fencers to become American citizens in time for the Olympics, set to start July 26, the Senate and House of Representatives would have to pass a bill granting the fencers U.S. citizenship, according to Wiener. He said President Biden would have to sign the bill.
Wiener said the Russian fencers have signed documents, required by USA Fencing for them to compete in events sanctioned by USA Fencing, renouncing the invasion of Ukraine.
