Prior to the start of the 2018 Wuxi (China) Fencing World Championships this month, an IOC Athlete Career Program (ACP) was held for 16 fencers and two coaches taking part in an official FIE training camp. Educators at the camp included two-time Olympian Maria Ntanou (GRE) and IOC lead educator Renkai Yip (SIN).
The one-day workshop covered modules such as how to manage a dual career and work on it in advance; networking skills for developing careers; behavioral attributes of career development; creating a career game plan; turning the dream of career results into reality; and how to use social media as part of athlete career development. Athletes expressed great interest in the program and found it very engaging for building their long-term vocational interests and future. Feedback from the program educators were they perceived fencers already have a remarkably solid foundation balancing sport and education as most were already involved in combining work or studies with their sport.