It is with great sadness that we learned of the death of André Pinelli, a great lover of fencing who devoted a huge part of his life to the development of his sport.
His commitment as a sports leader began in the South of France where he was President of the Ligue de Provence from 1973 to 1993. Then, from 1977, he took on responsibilities within the Fédération française d’escrime (French Fencing Federation) of which he was vice-president from 1984 to 2005.
André Pinelli always had the unanimous support of those who were lucky enough to know him and he will continue to leave his trace on the world of fencing, responsible for the construction of both the Cabriès fencing hall and the CREPS (Regional Physical Education and Sports Centre) fencing hall in Aix-en-Provence.
Born in 1922, he played an active part in the liberation of France, landing in Saint-Tropez at the end of the Second World War and receiving the Legion of Honour in 2005. He passed away on the 25th of March at the age of 97.
We extend to his family our deepest condolences.