LAUSANNE, Switz., November 14, 2023 -- In a landmark decision heralding a new chapter for school sports, the International School Sport Federation (ISF) is delighted to announce the relocation of its global headquarters to Lausanne, Switzerland, the Olympic capital. This pivotal move, slated for January 2024, signifies a strategic leap into a future where innovation, collaboration and youth empowerment take center stage.
Strategic Move for Global Impact. After a storied 50-year history in Brussels, the ISF is poised to embark on a transformative journey from its new base at the Sport International House in Lausanne. This strategic relocation is the result of a forward-thinking decision by the ISF's Management and Executive Committees and underscores the organisation's commitment to harnessing the potential of international sports federations for the betterment of school sports worldwide.
FENCING FROM SCHOOL LEVEL TO PROFESSIONAL GLOBAL STAGES: FIE and ISF sign MoU enhancing fencing participation from an early age
Ahead of the relocation, the ISF has been actively forging partnerships, as evidenced by the recent Sport Accord International Federations Forum in Lausanne. There, the ISF penned new Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with prominent federations, such as the FIE reinforcing its commitment to elevating the operational standards of international school sports events.
This partnership is a significant milestone for both organisations, as the FIE has a clear mission toward fencing development, while ISF is eager to enhance fencing activity and accessibility to fencing events from a young age and school level.
Based on that commitment, ISF has set the ISF Gymnasiade 2024 event from 23rd to 31st of October in Manama, Bahrain, featuring Fencing as one of 25 sports.
Believing that everything begins at a young age and in school, ISF is welcoming youth to register for the coming event: ISF GYMNASIADE 2024 BULLETIN
A Message from the ISF President
Laurent Petrynka, ISF President, underscores the significance of this move:
"Elevating the values of equality, respect, and fair play through school sports is more than a mission — it's a passion that drives us. Lausanne represents a beacon of these ideals within the international sports community. This relocation and cooperation with other international sports federations is a declaration of our dedication to enriching the lives of young athletes across the globe.”
About the International School Sport Federation
Since its inception in 1972, the ISF has been at the forefront of promoting school sports, touching the lives of students in over 200,000 schools across 134 member countries. Recognized by the International Olympic Committee since 1995, the ISF is dedicated to fostering a spirit of camaraderie and competition through its premier events, including the esteemed ISF Gymnasiade. Its mission extends beyond the playing field, striving to instill a culture of health, learning, and inclusivity among the youth of the world. For further information and updates, please visit ISF Sports.
About the FIE
The International Fencing Federation (FIE - Fédération Internationale d'Escrime) is the world governing body for the sport of fencing, part of the Olympic Games since 1896. The FIE currently has 156 affiliated member federations representing the sport on all five continents. The headquarters of the FIE are in Lausanne, Switzerland. The mission of the FIE is to actively promote the development of fencing throughout the world, and to educate people from all walks of life about the values intrinsic to fencing: Clean Sport, Fair Play, gender equality, hard work, and excellence.