For Italy, fencing has long been measured in medals.
But for dozens of women across the country, it is now being measured in something far more personal: the courage to step back onto the piste after breast cancer.
Through its Pink Ribbon initiative, the Italian Fencing Federation has shown how sport can move beyond competition and become a powerful tool for recovery, confidence, and renewed identity. The project integrates fencing exercises into the rehabilitation process for women who have undergone breast cancer surgery, helping them reconnect with their bodies and rediscover movement without fear.
The programme has grown rapidly. For the 2025/2026 season, 40 clubs across 14 regions in Italy have joined the initiative — nearly tripling participation compared to the previous year. What began as a pilot project has evolved into a nationwide network of support, united by fencing.
That spirit was on full display earlier this month at the Junior World Cup in Udine, where the federation hosted the first national meeting of Pink Ribbon participants. Fifty-five women who had undergone breast cancer surgery came together — not as patients, but as athletes — sharing the piste, their experiences, and a collective determination to move forward.
The importance of the initiative was underlined by the presence of FIE Secretary General Mrs Gulnora Saidova, who attended the event in Udine in person.
“Projects like the Pink Ribbon initiative show the true strength of fencing as a sport,” said Saidova. “Beyond competition and results, fencing has the power to support recovery, inclusion, and personal resilience. Seeing these women on the piste in Udine was a powerful reminder that our sport can positively impact lives in meaningful and lasting ways.”
The initiative, renewed by the Federal Council chaired by Luigi Mazzone, has also received the support of Sport e Salute Spa, which recognised its sporting and social value and provided funding. The National Association of Women who have undergone breast cancer surgery (ANDOS) has played a key role in expanding the project, working alongside fencing clubs to encourage participation and deliver adapted fencing sessions across Italy.
For Francesca Facioni, a former foil fencer and member of the project’s working group, the impact is deeply personal.
“Returning to the piste after breast cancer means rebuilding the relationship with your body,” she said. “It is about regaining confidence, motivation, and awareness — about feeling emotions again and finding the strength to take on new challenges. This is what fencing has given me.”
While Italy remains the most decorated fencing nation in Olympic history, the Pink Ribbon initiative represents a different kind of excellence — one that cannot be counted in medals. It is measured instead in restored confidence, solidarity, and the ability of sport to change lives long after the final touch.