LAUSANNE, Switzerland, June 9, 2017 — The Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) today granted the request of the International Fencing Federation (FIE) for two additional team events at the Olympic Games. Therefore, at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, fencing competition will comprise six individual and six team events.
“The biggest dream of many generations of fencers is now achieved,” said Alisher Usmanov, President of the FIE. “From the very beginning, I had set this goal as my main priority as FIE President. The IOC decision is the most important recognition of our long-term efforts to improve fencing, to make it more visible and popular. From now on, all of our fencers will have equal opportunities to compete at the Olympic Games. Fencers, national federations, and the entire world of fencing are tremendously grateful to the IOC Executive Board, the IOC President Mr. Thomas Bach, and the Olympic Program Commission and its President, Mr. Franco Carraro, for their decision."