DELAYED CONGRESS CONFIRMS PRESIDENT USMANOV
Alisher Usmanov has been re-elected for a fourth term as President of the FIE during the Elective Congress in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Originally voted into the role in 2008, Usmanov was re-elected for the third time in the Olympic Capital at the weekend, having won the vote previously in 2012 and 2016. The FIE had been due to stage its Elective Congress in Moscow, Russia in 2020 before it was postponed due to Covid-19. Usmanov will remain in charge of the organization until 2024 after the Paris Olympic Games.
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach celebrated Usmanov’s time leading the FIE saying, “Mr. Usmanov was instrumental in developing fencing all over the World and I am confident under his leadership this wonderful Olympic sport will continue its further development.”
EFC President Stanislav Pozdnyakov congratulated Mr. Usmanov on behalf of the confederation. He has been supporting fencing all over the world for more than ten years and the EFC welcomes his reappointment to the lead role.
Speaking about his re-election, President Usmanov said, "I am honoured to be re-elected as FIE President with the support of our world fencing family. Fencing is stronger than it has ever been as a global sport.”
"Our FIE programmes and support for fencing worldwide have facilitated its dynamic growth and its increased popularity as one of the original Olympic events."
He went on to describe Tokyo 2020 as a "milestone" for fencing and "resounding success".
"For the first time in history all 12 fencing events were held. It represents the tremendous work and commitment to our sport by our worldwide community, and universal recognition of fencing’s key role in the Olympic movement.”
"I am absolutely confident about the bright future of fencing also because today we have thousands of juniors and cadets, professional coaches and experienced champions, referees, employees of the FIE and associated federations and volunteers who love and develop our sport.”
"Our joint efforts and commitment are the key to the success of fencing at high-level sporting events in the future."
