Release of the FFO Seminar Recording: "Poised For Fairplay, Leadership Of Fair Fencing Organization (FFO) Debuted Its First Pubilc Seminar"
February 24, 2024
The Fair Fencing Organization (FFO) debuted a public online seminar with its entire leadership during the US Junior Olympics on February 17th. This was also the public inaugural meeting for FFO’s full board members and its core executive team to hold its first public meeting, with the introduction of the fencing sport’s watchdog, styled “Why and What the FFO Will Do for Competitive Fencing in the Future”.
Ms. Marianne McInerney, chairwoman of the board, highlighted the FFO’s mission to purse equal opportunities for competitive fencers, promoting education and understanding of competitive fencing, advocating fair play and transparency so that participants have a better opportunity to excel in this sport. Fencing is a sport that requires strength, speed, endurance, integrity, strategy, critical thinking, action and reaction, all under extreme pressure. This sport challenges, hones and leads to greater individual success by enhancing and utilizing self-discipline, dedication and passion for the sport. It is a great sport of great developmental mental and physical resilience and strategy. Fencing was introduced to the United States in 1891; however, after more than a hundred years, fencing is still perceived as a niche sport in the US and with limited news exposure and community reach. Worked with thousands of companies and institutions to support the Atlanta Olympics, the former US Assistant Secretary of Transportation has extensive experience in sports arena. Her goal for FFO is to bring stakeholders together, including athletes, coaches, colleges, governing bodies, and parents, to begin a nationwide plan to tell fencing stories in the US, to promote the participation in NCAA colleges, and to build and improve understanding, professionalism, and fairness of this sport.
Mr. Sergei Golubitsky, a four-time foil fencing world champion and internationally renowned coach, pointed out that fencing is a popular sport in Europe. Today, US fencing players have won many international medals, including the Olympics, World Cup, etc. Our athletes deserve more public spotlight recognition and a better competitive environment in the US.
Mr. Igor Chirashnya, a club owner of one of the largest fencing club in California stated that there are more than 40,000 fencers playing this sport as compared to less than a couple thousands 20 year ago. He believes that it is time to bring change to this sport and take this sport to the next level, especially the much needed improvement in training, coaching, education, refereeing, and rules for this sport. With its vast base of fencing family and professionals, FFO is uniquely positioned to improve those areas in need.
Mr. Andrey Geva, the former US Olympic coach, pointed out that to bring US fencing to the next level, the national governing body USA Fencing needs to bring professionals to the leadership team and to work with organizations like FFO to shape and drive this sport to a sustainable success in the future.
Mr. Charles Wang, an internationally renowned lawyer, stressed the importance of protecting all fencing participants' legal rights.
In his closing remark of this public debut of FFO’s board of directors and management team, FFO’s President Mr. Jason Liu announced FFO’s Open Letter "Who-Why-What about Fair Fencing", detailing FFO as an organization and its mission.
To watch this online meeting webinar, please click here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLXKVHwOiqM
We look forward to hearing from you, your membership, participation and support!
For more information on FFO membership, please contact: info@fairfencing.org