It was a large majority that voted to re-admit Russia and Belarus into the world of fencing.
89–46 the result landed at the extraordinary congress.
- We are a little surprised by the numbers.
There were 46 countries that voted against and that was a little more than we thought.
It has increased by a number of countries since the congress last autumn, says Pierre Thullberg.
- The Nordic countries were united and we all tried to say wise things together.
That's what we can do.
Sweden has previously been critical of how the International Fencing Federation has acted in matters concerning human rights.
When Sweden's president Otto Drakenberg raised the rights of LGBTQ people from the podium during the congress in Lausanne in November, there were clear protests from the audience.
Loud knocking from several parts of the hall drowned out his voice.