LAUSANNE, Switzerland, March 11, 2019 —The International Fencing Federation (FIE) has announced a comprehensive Safeguarding Policy, intended to provide athletes and non-athletes an environment where fencing can be practiced in a safe environment and where athletes can develop harmoniously and free.
Approved by the 2018 FIE Annual Congress in Paris in December, the Safeguarding Policy promotes equal opportunity and prohibits discriminatory practices. It mandates that each individual, athlete or non-athlete, has the right to be treated with respect and dignity, and to be protected from all forms of harassment and abuse.
The FIE is dedicated to creating a lasting and sustainable impact with this consistent approach and it will be visibly implemented at World Championships. For example, at the upcoming 2019 Junior and Cadet Fencing World Championships in Torun, Poland, from April 6 to 14, a special FIE Safeguarding stand will provide information and education to athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, and visitors. In addition, major events, including this one, will have assigned FIE Safeguarding Officers overseeing the policy and its application. In Torun, the assigned Safeguarding Officers will be Mr. Sam Cheris (USA) and Ms. Georgina Usher (GBR).
For more information, see the Safe Sport section of the FIE Web site. For the complete policy approved by the 2018 FIE Congress, click here. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) also offers the following video content on Safe Sport: