Candidate Statement
I am running for the FIE Veterans Council in order to work for, simplify and encourage to continuation of fencing up in the ages after the competition-career. Even to attract new athletes to start practicing this fantastic sport, which might be an old dream for many, many people.
As an ex-teacher of physical education, I know how important it is to keep exercising and why not in a sport where it is possible to start as an adult? With that background I know there are both people that love to compete and others that love to exercise just for fun and for good health. Fencing is a sport that is physical, aesthetic, has high moral built-in and can work out well all over the world, irrespective of religion, sex, size, health and nature of the country. I would like to help spread that sport and I see important opportunities to spread it on different levels.
My Contribution
I will give priority to education and development in countries that still do not have veteran fencing. It can, besides education, be a question of support of material as well as help with motivating national sport federations to see the value of encouraging grown-ups to exercise.
My participation in international competitions and training-camps and the joy and friendship that has led to, makes me want to give the opportunity to people all over to have the same chance to be a part of that. It is good for the person, but it is also good for understanding among people from different cultures.
Key goals
As a candidate, my primary goals are to promote accessibility for more people to be a part of a fair, equal and healthy sport-federation where background does not matter, only passion.
Make Fencing Affordable for Veterans and Accessible For All
The World Championships works well as it is in most parts, but we could do more in order to keep the costs down for transportation and lodging with the aim of making it affordable for more of our fencers, which would increase the level.
Research has shown the importance for people’s health to keep on exercising. It is good not only for the person itself but also for the nation’s health-care costs. Some states have not yet come to that knowledge and maybe the commission can help spread that research and information.