The spectacular scenes unfolded at the International Fencing Federation congress in Lausanne in November, to some extent Dagens Nyheter was the first to report.
When Swedish President Otto Drakenberg lifted LGBT rights from the platform, protests began. A loud knock from several parts of the hall drowned out his voice.
The incident was captured on film by the vice president of the Swedish Fencing Association, Anna Valero-Kollantz.
There you can also hear how the vice-president of the International Fencing Federation, the Egyptian Abdel Moneim El Hamy El Husseini, interrupts Drakenberg.
The Swede: “It was scary”
– We are here to talk about sports, not about what you intend to put up. Please stop immediately, he said, which was met with applause and cheers from the audience.
Despite this, Drakenberg did not give up, but replied that he had the right to speak “in a democratic world.”
– It was so sudden. I’ve never seen anyone treated this way, although Sweden has raised uncomfortable questions in the past, too. Shocking, says Otto Drakenberg for SVT Sport.
– and, perhaps, the most surprising thing is that no one, no one from the free world stands up. That the wall of complaint can stand unchallenged. I thought that was terrifying.
The vast majority of Saudi Arabia
According to Drakenberg, his purpose for the speech was to highlight the problem of mathematical washing. He thinks it is problematic for a country like Saudi Arabia to organize tournaments because it does not respect the rights of women and LGBT people.
The vice president thinks it’s wrong to drag politics into sports, so what do you say about that?
– I think since at least 1980 we have had this problem in society. And I think most people who look at this soberly understand that these days it is impossible to distinguish between sports and politics. Inextricably linked.
Despite Drakenberg’s objections, Congress voted overwhelmingly for Saudi Arabia, as the sole candidate country, to host the 2024 Cadet and Junior Championships.
SVT Sport is seeking comment from the International Fencing Federation.
CUT: What is a “sports wash” – the columnist explains
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