Standing up for what’s right sometimes means sacrificing everything.

It’s hard to comprehend the ramifications of decisions that people make, especially when those people are coming from a place that is far removed from where we are. Such is the case with the oppression of the Russian regime, both in its war of aggression against Ukraine and its hard line against its own people. 

What happens when speaking out is dangerous?

The people of Russia who are against the war cannot speak up for fear of retaliation from the very same regime that is so visibly hurting the citizens of Ukraine. 

It’s important that we understand that many people in Russia are against Putin. Many people are against the war. Many people are against the whole breadth of atrocities committed by this regime. Just as we see here in the United States, brave people want to speak out against wrongs that they see happening. The difference between America and Russia is that here, you can go out and protest. Here you can post on the internet about how you disagree with what our government is doing. There are many problems in the United States, but we have the freedom to speak out against the ills of our government. 

Can you imagine what it would be like if your family was in danger because you criticized your government? If you could be thrown in prison or worse for even being suspected of harboring resentment against the rulers of your country? What if you are imprisoned because your ten years old child drew a picture against war?  Imagine you can be thrown to prison for holding a blank sign because police thinks you renounce the war? For calling the war a war, people were are sentenced to 25 years in prison. Even elderly people can be arrested for speaking up against the war. Not talking about opposition, which can be poisoned and, if still alive, sentenced to life in prison. 

For many people, the only way for them to speak out is to leave. About 1,000,000 people left Russia in 2022. By leaving the country, they are standing up. But it doesn’t happen in a single day. It takes a lot of time, a lot of preparation, a lot of resources. It’s not an easy thing to do, and it is undoubtedly a dangerous thing to do. The risk for the families of those who leave is a burden as well. Totalitarian regimes are known to retaliate against the loved ones of defectors, so making the decision to go must be weighed against the possibility of collateral damage to your family. Even if their loved ones are safe, those who leave won’t be able to go back to the place that they’ve known for their whole lives, not even for a visit. You cannot unmake the choice – once you leave, there is no way back home, otherwise, you go to prison for 25 years. Even American journalists who are doing their job and are protected by International laws aren’t spared by the Russian totalitarian regime.

A person who moves secretly to the USA from Russia because they cannot stand this regime is a brave person. It’s a person who can’t live with the regime anymore because the regime is aggressive and totalitarian. The regime is committing genocide and war crimes. Leaving this place means facing huge danger. Their personal well-being is at stake. They are putting their lives in jeopardy because, at any point in time they could be intercepted by the security forces of Russia with the real possibility of a very severe punishment. The higher your profile, the greater the risk. 

The mere fact that they left is a statement of their renouncement of the war and policies of the country they have fled. 

The conundrum of professional athletes and soldiers

One common misconception about professional athletes in Europe is that they are members of the military. This is a foreign concept for Americans, where we have a distinct separation between athletics and the government. Across Europe, professional athletes are woven into the military structure to give them support as they pursue their sport.

Professional athletes are employed by the government in many countries – Italy, France, Hungary, Romania, Ukraine, and Russia. As athletes, they hold some kind of military rank. They usually get a salary or a stipend from the military for their living expenses. In the United States, athletes are on their own to raise money and figure out how to train by acquiring private sponsorships, but in Europe, the government sponsors them.  

Their military rank does not mean that they are fighting in a war, nor are they training to either. In these countries, they receive salaries from one of the military organizations so that they can focus on their sport. It’s one big reason athletes in Europe can have such a big advantage against athletes from other places – they don’t have to hold down day jobs or hustle to pay their bills. It’s simply how things work in these countries. 

We don’t consider the best fencing athletes in West European countries to be soldiers. Yet they all hold military rank due to their work as professional athletes in their respective countries. When we look at a totalitarian regime, we must look at the reality of the situation. Professional athletes have nothing to do with the army, even when they technically hold a rank.

It’s important to look at things from this angle because there are complexities at play.

High-performing athletes in Russia hold a very high place in society there. They have financial support and cultural significance. They will not have that same level of lifestyle should they leave. They are also a bigger target should they speak out. It’s a lot of money to give up, a lot of hard-earned social capital. Athletes of a high rank have a huge amount of opportunities in Russia. Leaving all that to come to the United States equates to a step backward, often a huge one. It means starting over again, leaving behind a lifetime’s worth of work, and in most cases, completely giving up their athletic aspirations. But they do it because their conscience is more important to them than their status and money.

People who are doing nothing are thrown into prison for ten or twenty years or even shot. Instead of condemning these athletes as soldiers, we must consider their experiences. These defected athletes are professional athletes who have nothing to do with the war. They are against these terrible things, and because of that, they escape. It takes a lot of bravery, a lot of time, a huge amount of sacrifice, and a huge amount of risk to do it. I think they deserve our respect.

The crimes of Russia are inexcusable

Taking a hard line with the unconscionable acts of the totalitarian regime in Russia is important. There is no room for excuses, no way to justify the continued atrocities they commit. There is no “middle ground” – there are only two sides: right and wrong.

This is a moment for both words and for actions. We must keep the conversation going, we must push for change by lifting our voices. We must raise money to send to the people of Ukraine who are fighting for their lives, supporting them in every way possible. We must also support all the people who stand against the regime. By doing that, we help to put an end to the war and to change this regime for good.

It’s a difficult situation and a complex one. The best that we can do is to meet each other with compassion and understanding, all while staying true to our own beliefs in freedom and autonomy.

Join us in welcoming a tremendous fencing talent to the United States and to AFM! It is with great pleasure and pride we share that Sergey Bida is joining the AFM Coaching Team!

This week, Coach Bida stepped into his role as the newest member of our already talented coaching staff. His work in epee is extraordinary, and his coming to California is a wonderful addition to the training opportunities for fencers here in America. Violetta Bida, Sergey’s wife, is also a hugely accomplished fencer and is also joining our fencers at AFM!

Sergey will not only be coaching at AFM, but he’ll also be training with our competitive class and competing. Bida joins AFM as he prepares for domestic competitions here in the United States. Expect to see him in the coming season in the Senior Men’s Epee categories at tournaments across the country! This is wonderful not only for our fencers, who will have the benefit of training alongside him as he works with our coaches, but it raises the bar and supports the strengthening of fencing in America.

Very few fencers don’t require an introduction, and Sergey is one of them, but let’s give you a rundown of what makes him so extraordinary.  

Sergey Bida – a top fencer

Bida is one of the best epee fencers in the world, an accolade he earned through more than two decades of hard work. He comes from a long tradition of world-class athletes, but he has proven himself a force to be reckoned with in his own right. 

From 2017-2019, Bida blew away the competition with a three-year Gold medal streak in the European Championships with the men’s team epee competition. In 2019, he took individual men’s epee Gold in the World Cup as well as the Silver at the World Championship.

In 2019, FIE named Bida their Athlete of the Year. It’s easy to see why. 

The following year, he took the Gold in the individual Men’s Epee at the Grand Prix. Then to the biggest stage, where he and his teammates took Silver at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021. These are all only his most recent accomplishments in the Senior division, as he took over ten World Cup victories at the Junior level! 

At the age of 30, Sergey has a lot further to go and a whole lot more to give to the sport of fencing. Bringing his passion for training to a new generation means that he creates an even stronger legacy. 

While he is hugely accomplished on the strip, Sergey is also a compassionate and adaptive teammate and teacher. In training, he brings a high level of professionalism to his students and a wonderful ability to bring out the best in fencers. His personal success translates to strong strategies that elevate the athletes he coaches and mentors. In the club, Bida supports the growth of fellow and student fencers through his laser focus and attention to detail.

Mentorship has been a big part of Bida’s own journey in fencing, and that kind of personal attention is going to be a tremendous benefit to the fencers who are able to train alongside him and under his guidance here in the United States. 

Violetta Bida – a champion in her own right

Sergey arrived in San Jose with his wife, Violetta Bida. Bringing her strength and style to those training with AFM, Violetta is also set to join our team as she trains with our fencers. It is truly a privilege to have her be a part of our training team.

Violetta is a tremendous fencer herself. As a three-time Junior World Champion, Silver medalist in both the Senior World and European Championships, and Tokyo Olympian, she is a force to be reckoned with on the strip. Currently competing in women’s epee, she continues to push herself further even as she brings her elite fencing style to the young fencers who need the powerful level of fencing training she offers. 

The warmest welcome!

Please give both Sergey and Violetta your warmest welcome!

We could not be more excited for him to be here, and we look forward to having him train alongside fencers at AFM as well as travel with us to tournaments. He’s an incredible asset to our team, and we are fortunate to have him here with us! 

Sergey and Violetta will also participate in our World Champions Camp in August, which already has Gergo Siklosi and Valerio Cuomo as sparring partners and Sandro Cuomo as the leading coach for the camp! This is open to all fencers, regardless of the club they are affiliated with. 

Here’s to a positive evolution of fencing, and to having hugely talented fencers join us in our training. Fencing is truly a sport that crosses all boundaries, and we are so fortunate to have these athletes here to support our fencers. Let’s create growth together for everyone!