Lausanne, 23 January 2013 – The International Fencing Federation (FIE) is proud to unveil a new logo as it celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2013. Eighteen events and special activities are planned throughout the year to commemorate the founding of the federation on 29 November 1913 in Paris.

Lausanne, 23 January 2013 – The International Fencing Federation (FIE) is proud to unveil a new logo as it celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2013. Eighteen events and special activities are planned throughout the year to commemorate the founding of the federation on 29 November 1913 in Paris.

Special focus will be on the FIE 2013 Senior World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, 5 – 14 August 2013, and on the Centennial Gala Dinner which will take place on Saturday 30 November 2013 in Paris. The Centennial FIE Congress will take place on Friday, 29 November 2013 also in Paris.

In addition, nine fencing tournaments in the FIE’s nine founding countries (UK, Belgium, Germany, Italy, France, Hungary, Netherlands, Czech Republic and Norway) will celebrate the founding of the FIE. The first competition will be the women’s sabre Beazley Trophy on 25 – 27 January 2013 in London, Great-Britain.

The activities will be complemented by a travelling exhibition depicting the history of fencing and the role of the FIE as well as a Hall of Fame dedicated to those who have made a significant contribution to the development of the sport.

For its centennial activities, the FIE is working with IMG Consulting, a division of IMG Worldwide, the global sports, fashion and media company. They will support the FIE’s PR activities around the centennial and have worked with the FIE on the development of a specific centennial logo and branding which can be seen on www.fie.org. Together with IMG Sports Media, the FIE will make three 26 minute films to celebrate the sport of fencing and its history.
 
Alisher Usmanov, FIE President since 2008, said: “I am proud that fencing is one of only four sports to have featured at every Olympic Games of the modern era. Our sport has gone on a great and impressive journey throughout these years. We have planned an extensive programme of events. However, I believe that now is not the time to rest on our laurels, as we have a great deal of work ahead of us and we must face up to tough challenges. I am convinced that 2013, when we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the FIE, will be a year of success, accomplishments and the start of a new century in the development of fencing.”

FIE Centennial Calendar
Sport:
25 – 27.01.2013            Beazley Trophy, London, GBR (women’s sabre)
22 – 24.02.2013            Challenge Yves Brasseur, Gand, BEL (women’s sabre)
08 – 10.03.2013            Reinhold-Würth-Cup, Tauberbischofsheim, GER (women’s foil)
06.04.2013                   Foil Masters, Melun, FRA (men’s foil)                           
06 – 14.04.2013            Junior and Cadet World Championships Porec, CRO (all weapons)
21 -16.07.2013             Training Camp, Prague, CZE
05 – 14.08.2013            Senior World Championships Budapest, HUN (all weapons)
October 2013               Veterans World Championships Varna, BUL (all weapons)
November 2013            Masters, Levallois, FRA (men’s epee)
November 2013            Satellite competition, Amsterdam, NED (men’s foil and men’s sabre)
November 2013            Satellite competition, Oslo, NOR, (women’s epee and men’s epee)

Complementary Activities:
27.05.2013                   ASOIF Dinner, St. Petersburg, RUS                  
September 2013           World Fencing Day, online photo contest
October 2013               Publication FIE centennial book
16.11.2013                   Inauguration fencing statue, Olympic Museum, Lausanne, SUI
29 – 30.11.2013            FIE Centennial Congress, Paris, FRA
30.11.2013                   FIE Gala Dinner, Grand Palais, Paris, FRA (www.rmn.fr – www.grandpalais.fr)

Beazley Trophy Press contact
British Fencing
Karim Bashir, Media Officer, M: +44 (0) 7855 252546, E: [email protected]  
www.britishfencing.com, Twitter: @britishfencing
British Fencing, 1 Baron’s Gate, 33-35 Rothschild Road, London W4 5HT

Beazley Trophy Venue:
Surrey Sports Park, University of Surrey, Richard Meyjes Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7AD
 
A press conference will take place Friday, 25 January, 11.30am – 12.30am.
 
 
About the FIE:
The International Fencing Federation (FIE – Fédération Internationale d’Escrime) is the international governing body for the Olympic sport of fencing. The FIE is based Lausanne, Switzerland. Currently, the FIE has 148 affiliated member federations.
For further information on the FIE please visit www.fie.org or follow us on Twitter @fie_en.