Dear friends!
The French philosopher
Blaise Pascal once said: “We often come to know what we should have begun with only
when the initially planned masterpiece is almost finished”. Analyzing results of
the past year I dare to say that in 2007
the European Fencing Confederation has made a significant step to realization
of its tasks and goals. Of course some may have a different view. Mine
certainty is strengthened by series of bright events and positive facts which
took place in European fencing during 2007.
Among those
mentioned is for example the European Cadets
Championship, organized and run in Novi Sad, Serbia – with the main purpose
to improve the overall level of fencing in Europe. The competition has resulted
in becoming another significant tournament in the calendar which supports the development
of young talents. Besides – another country has proven its capability to
organize and conduct a major fencing tournament.
That equally relates
to the Czech Fencing Federation and its President Frantisek Janda who hosted the
2007 European Juniors Championship in
Prague. For the first time in history of such tournaments they were broadcasted
live on TV, and it had been the first time when public Wi-Fi internet
access and other brand-new organizational features have been implemented.
Referring to the
2007 European Senior Championship that
had also been organized in one of minor European fencing countries – Belgium –
we see an undoubtedly positive trend: three European minor fencing countries in
a row have gained not only tremendous experience of organizing and running
major tournaments but also a significant boost for development of fencing.
Previous year’s
World Championship has also taken
place in a European city – Saint-Petersburg. And, by the way, it has once again
become the triumph of European fencing: 36 out of 42 medals have been won by the
Europeans who have not conceded even a single gold medal to representatives of
other Zones!
Also in
Saint-Petersburg our Confederation’s Executive Committee has taken an extremely
important decision to launch the
Presidential Direct Assistance Program
aimed at development and popularization of fencing through European
Member-federations. The work on enhancing
our organization’s Charter has been continued. At present we see no
obstacles in prolonging the process as far as it is necessary: Charter – is a basic
document which mainly determines the efficiency of COMEX and Commissions functioning
as well as Member-federations active contribution to the process – it is clear
that it should never be done “in a rush”. As Johann Wolfgang von Goethe has
written, “the one, who has improperly fastened the first button, will never do
that properly in the end”. I hope that during several months prior to EFC Congress,
Member-federations will carefully study proposed modifications and consensus will
be achieved on the issue of their ratification.
On the 2008 agenda
we have: European Senior Championships to
be held in Ukraine’s capital, European
under 23 Championships in Como (Italy), and of course the main fencing
forum of the four years period – Beijing
Olympic Games. I’d like to specially mention not the Olympics (no need to
highlight their significance for the athletes), but European under 23
Championships in Como. It is a historical debut for that kind of tournament in
our sport. I hope that it will significantly contribute to the European
competitions Calendar, will make it more balanced, discover new names and help
Member-federations to create a reliable reserve for their National teams.
I am confident:
European fencing has an optimistic forecast for the future. Positive processes
that started in 2007 have given us even greater expectations; and we are to
meet these expectations in 2008.
In conclusion I
would like to cordially thank all Member-federations that have taken the responsibility
of organizing and running competitions in 2007 and 2008. And of course I would
like to wish European fencers success in the Beijing Olympics.
Alisher Usmanov
President