For the second consecutive year, Costa Rica’s Junior and Cadet Epee World Cups have received the Ecological Blue Flag, following the 2024 Junior World Cup recognition. The Costa Rican Fencing Federation was also recognized for hosting non-FIE events, including the 2024 Pan American Children and Veterans Championship and the 2025 Central American and Caribbean Cadet and Junior Championship.
The first Blue Flag, awarded in 2024, was donated to the FIE Congress in Tashkent to underscore the importance of hosting national and international events with reduced environmental impact, safeguarding both participants and the environment. This donation transformed a national award into a global symbol, setting a benchmark for future FIE events and embedding sustainability into the FIE’s institutional memory.
The Costa Rican Fencing Federation ensures that all reductions are quantifiable and significant, validated through the Ecologic Blue Flag Program’s rigorous certification process. Their efforts support both the International Olympic Committee’s sustainability initiatives and the FIE’s Fencing for the Planet program, enhancing the Federation’s environmental and social profile nationally and regionally.
Sustainable Practices in Action
- Energy & Water Management: Venues were selected for natural lighting and ventilation, with preference for facilities using renewable energy. Potable water allowed hydration stations and reusable bottles, reducing single-use plastics. Water-saving systems and responsible usage were enforced.
- Health & Safety: Handwashing and sanitation protocols were applied to all participants and staff, supported by potable water certification from the national utility.
- Local & Environmental Engagement: Local vendors and fair-trade products were prioritized. Environmental education booths covered waste management, water conservation, and carbon footprint awareness.
- Offsetting Impacts: Plastic waste was collected for reuse in accessibility projects at national parks. Pollinator conservation activities were carried out with students in 2024, with pollinator-friendly planting planned for 2025.
Looking ahead, the Federation will continue pursuing Ecological Blue Flag certification for all international events, integrate sustainability into World Environment Day and World Fencing Day, and expand environmental education across the national fencing community.
“Our goal is to show that high-level sporting events can and must be sustainable,” said the Federation. “The Ecologic Blue Flag is more than an award—it is a rigorous commitment to our community and the environment, ensuring every touch on the strip leaves a positive mark on the world.”
Andrea Campos, a Costa Rican épée fencer and environmental engineer who contributed to earning the Blue Flag, was invited to the FIE’s Fencing for the Planet Roundtable in Tbilisi. Her participation highlights the Blue Flag as a model for sustainable event organization, positions Costa Rica as a knowledge contributor, and translates local successes into international policy dialogue, offering the FIE a replicable real-world sustainability example.
