Russia and allied country Belarus have been barred from participating in the World Fencing Championships.

However, after a vote in the sport's governing body (FIE), it was decided that the two countries may participate in the championships once again.

At the time, the German fencing federation reacted strongly - cancelling one of the qualifying rounds for the Women's World Cup, according to Reuters.

"Our solidarity goes out to the people of Ukraine who are suffering from the war of aggression," says the president of the German Fencing Association, Claudia Bokel, and continues:

"We want to give a clear signal that we wanted a different result.

The Secretary General of the Swedish Fencing Federation, Pierre Thullberg, reacted to the decision to allow Russia and Belarus to participate in international tournaments a week ago, when it was hammered through.

"We are deeply critical and regret that this is where we have ended up," Pierre Thullberg, secretary general of the Swedish Fencing Association, told Dagens Nyheter.

Ilgar Mammadov, chairman of the Russian federation, was not surprised by the decision of the Germans.

"This will not be the only country, more countries will refuse. I will not criticize my colleagues," Mammadov told TASS, according to Reuters.

MORE FENCING: The winter holiday in Varberg began with medieval fencing:

Javascript is turned off

Javascript must be turned on to play video

Learn more about browser support

Frans, Alfred and Melina were quickly trained in the art of knighthood when the winter holidays began in Varberg. In the clip, you get to see how they are tested with their swords. Photo: Anton Johansson/SVT