He came, he won. Without a shadow of anxiety, as if it were obvious. Then, the work done and the victory in his pocket, he left. Less than three years after being forced to take a step back, Alisher Usmanov (photo above) was re-elected on Saturday, November 30, as president of the International Fencing Federation (FIE).
It would be hard to find a better place for a comeback: the election took place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, the birthplace of the Russian billionaire. Presented in his candidacy form as a philanthropist (he refuses to use the term oligarch), Alisher Usmanov was playing on home turf. Always a good bet when it comes to a federal election. But let's be clear: the matter was settled before the vote even opened.
First elected in 2008, re-elected without opposition, but forced to step back by a barrage of sanctions decided by the European Union after the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine, Alisher Usmanov had won the race several weeks before the FIE's annual congress.
He had obtained the written support of 103 national federations on all continents, from countries as diverse as Ireland, India, China, Israel, Palestine, the Philippines, Romania, South Africa, Greece, Iceland, Jamaica and Costa Rica. Two thirds, give or take a few, of the FIE member nations. The announcement of a plebiscite for a return to the helm of international fencing, after the interim of more than two years ensured by the Greek Emmanuel Katsiadakis.
Opposite, only one rival. A courageous one, the former Olympian fencer Otto Drakenberg, 58 years old, ex-president of the Swedish Fencing Federation. Nominated for the election by only two national federations, Sweden and Latvia, he had chosen to run for the election to offer another alternative. Without great illusions, and few means, but with audacity.
The results made it clear: audacity did not pay off. Alisher Usmanov, 71, got 120 votes, compared to 26 for Otto Drakenberg. The Swede later explained in a statement: I am very pleased that we were able to show that support for Mr Usmanov is not unanimous. In the Nordic and Baltic countries, we are united in our opinions and this is important.. » He also noted, in the same press release, that his winner of the day only attended one sequence of the FIE congress, the election for the presidency, leaving the room as soon as the result was announced.
Alisher Usmanov, for his part, issued a statement sent to the media a little later in the day. I am grateful to the international fencing family for their trust and support, which convinced me that my decision to run for the FIE presidency was the right one., he emphasizes. I could not ignore the opinion of the 103 national federations that supported my candidacy and I thank each of them. I want to ensure a bright future for fencing and its dynamic development for everyone. I am convinced that our beloved sport has entered a new phase of prosperity and resounding victories. I am convinced that fencing deserves to secure a place on the podium of the most popular Olympic sports, and this is achievable in the coming years. »
That says it all. But one question remains: how will the Russian billionaire, whose fortune is estimated by the Bloomberg index at 14,4 billion dollars, be able to preside over the FIE when he is banned from several European countries, including Switzerland, where the headquarters of the body is located? Not easy.
But the Russian has already provided the beginning of an answer: he intends to lift as quickly as possible the sanctions he has been subject to for more than two years. As everyone knows, I am still subject to unjustified restrictions, which I am currently contesting in court., He explains. In this regard, I declare that I have always acted in the best interests of the FIE and that I will continue to take all necessary measures to prevent the legally unfounded restrictions imposed on me from being extended to the FIE and its activities. ».
