BF TO HOST 2024 WHEELCHAIR FENCING WORLD CUP IN CARDIFF, WALES

British Fencing (BF) announces that the 2024 Wheelchair Fencing World Cup will be hosted in Cardiff, Wales, in partnership with UK Sport and the Welsh Government.

BF is delighted to announce that the 2024 Wheelchair Fencing World Cup will be hosted in Cardiff, Wales. BF has been awarded this opportunity to host for the first time.

The January 2024 Cardiff event will be the final European-based qualification fixture ahead of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Work is already underway to ensure a world-class experience is delivered for athletes from both the UK and the rest of the world.

BF’s CEO, Georgina Usher said,

“BF is looking forward to delivering this world-class event, welcoming athletes from the UK and across the World as they seek Paralympic qualifications. This event, the first of its kind to be held in Wales, will maximise the opportunity to increase the exposure of the sport across Wales and the UK, and encourage the next generation of athletes, officials and volunteers into the exciting world of wheelchair fencing.
 
“With the support of Welsh Fencing, Disability Sport Wales and Sport Wales, we are excited to see the longer-term opportunities that develop from hosting the World Cup, starting with the National Championships that are taking place in Swansea in July, as part of the Para Sport Festival.” 

Welsh Government, Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething, said,

“I’m delighted that we have recently been awarded the rights to host the 2024 Wheelchair Fencing World Cup here in Cardiff.  We want to showcase Wales as a nation that is committed to supporting sporting opportunities for disabled people. That is why Welsh Government has given its full backing to this and other events and we continue to work with key partners across Wales to further develop our event hosting strategy for disabled people.”

Pal Szekeres, Chair of the Wheelchair Fencing Executive Committee, said,

“We are delighted to be adding Great Britain to our growing list of World Cup locations around the world. The country has some hugely talented fencers, including Paralympic, world and European medal winners and top-ranked athletes, and the country’s track record for hosting successful major events is exemplary. The ingredients are all there for a fantastic World Cup!”

Esther Britten, Head of Major Events, UK Sport, said,

“Funded by The National Lottery, we’re building a programme of major events that will help GB athletes qualify and prepare for the Paralympic Games. As we continue the journey towards Paris 2024, I’m delighted that we are able to give wheelchair fencing athletes an exciting opportunity to compete and prepare on home soil.”

Welsh athlete Gemma Collis said,

“It’s beyond exciting to know that we’ll be hosting a Wheelchair Fencing World Cup in the UK. I was fortunate enough to compete at the London 2012 Paralympics, and there really is nothing like competing on home soil!
 
“Having represented Wales at the Commonwealth Fencing Championships last year – where my teammates were undoubtedly the loudest and most supportive bunch in the venue – I am sure that the support we’ll have as a GB team will be ferocious in Cardiff, and I cannot wait to experience that!
 
“This is an incredible opportunity for us to showcase Wheelchair Fencing in the UK, and to hopefully attract new people to get involved in this incredible sport – whether that’s as an athlete, official, coach or volunteer. It’s not a sport I ever originally thought I’d end up getting involved in, but it’s been truly life-changing and I would love it if even a few more people could experience that off of the back of the World Cup in Cardiff.”

Photo: Augusto Bizzi #BizziTeam

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