LAUSANNE, Switz., Feb. 19, 2024 – The FIE is saddened to learn of the passing of fencing master Henri Sassine (CAN) on Feb. 11, 2024, in Laval, Quebec. A Canadian national team coach, his work included coaching at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles 1984, Seoul 1988, Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996 and Rio 2016. Remarkably, he trained Olympians in all three weapons.
Born on Oct. 8, 1940, in Egypt, Sassine emigrated to Canada in 1966, settling in Chibougamau, Northern Quebec, where he coached many fencers. From 1984, nine of his fencers became Olympians, including his daughter, Sandra, who competed in Beijing and London. He also trained Olympians Claude Marcil, Jacynthe Poirier, Daniel Perreault, Jean-Marie Banos, Jean-Paul Banos, Tony Plourde, Evens Gravel and Maximilien Van Haaster. The Banos brothers were renowned for being four-time Olympians.
The Canadian Fencing Federation stated, “Master Sassine was not only a Canadian fencing legend, but also a great friend of the Pan-American family, as evidenced by his many collaborations with the Cuban Fencing Federation, among others.”
The FIE extends its sincere condolences for their loss to Henri Sassine’s family and friends, the Canadian Fencing Federation and the Pan American Fencing Confederation, and expresses its deepest sympathy during this difficult time.