FIE Press release on Jun 1st outlining some initiatives taken with regards to limiting the number of strips used at World Cup competitions, doping control, Olympic qualification, and use of transparent masks.
Successful Test at Stockholm Grand Prix
The “Challenge Bernadotte” (Men’s Epee) in Stockholm was the first Grand Prix competition ever to be run on only four fencing pistes. “This new idea was tested successfully”, said René Roch, FIE president during the competition this past weekend.
This new and modern way shall help organisers worldwide to facilitate the organisation of such a tournament. Due to this new setup, athletes will always know in advance exactly at what time they have to compete. This will make it as much easier in the future for spectators and media to follow the competition. Thanks to the perfect organisation in Sweden, this new idea was tested in a brilliant way. “We would like to organise all Grand Prix events in the future this way”, Roch added.
All pre-elimination bouts only took place on those four pistes.
Transparent Masks in Sabre Competition at Summer Games in Athens
More transparency at the sabre competition at Olympic Summer Games in Athens: All participating athletes will receive the latest models of the new transparent masks from the International Federation to be used in the Olympic competition. Those masks had been used already during World Cups and World Championships in the last Olympic circle. It always had been a request from Television in the past to be able to show more of the fencers face. With this mask TV spectators will be able to see in each fencers eyes and feel the tension of the sport.
WADA Anti-Doping Code – Final Version adopted
During its Executive Board Meeting in Stockholm on Saturday the FIE accepted the final version of the WADA Anti-Doping Code. The code itself was accepted already much earlier, but with this last step, the code is now fully integrated within the rules of the International Fencing Federation.
Egypt steps out for Men’s Sabre – Germany next to follow at Games in Athens
The National Olympic Committee of Egypt will not send its qualified men’s sabre team to the Olympics in Athens. All other teams will be nominated according to the NOC of Egypt. The FIE has therefore today invited the German Sabre team to join in for Athens. Germany is next on the qualifying world ranking.
