FIE Employs IMG to Create Documentary Celebrating Centenary

The International Fencing Federation (FIE) has hired IMG Sports Production, capsule a division of IMG Worldwide, the global sports, fashion and media company, to make a three-part documentary series to celebrate the sport of fencing to coincide with the organisation’s centenary.

‘En Garde’ will be a look back at the earliest days of fencing from the Olympic Games and World Championships featuring some of the legends of the sport over the past 100 years while also portraying the key developments that have taken place.

The 3×30 minute series will also feature the leading stars competing today and show action from some of the major events so far this season, as well as delving back into the origins of sword-play and dueling.

James Mitchell, Series Producer for IMG Sports Media, said: “The programmes reflect the FIE’s centenary celebrations as well as fencing’s rich heritage and its glamorous history. This has often seen it portrayed in films with stars such as Tom Cruise and the late Errol Flynn as well as attracting the attention of personalities such as football icon David Beckham.”

He added: “The aim is to showcase the FIE’s commitment to growing the sport as widely as possible internationally. We will do this by looking back at the sport’s rich history, featuring some of the personalities competing today and also showcasing the excellent work they are doing to develop fencing’s reach even further.”

Maxim Paramonov, Advisor of the FIE President Mr Alisher Usmanov, said: “We are proudly looking back on these 100 years, in which the sport of fencing has undergone many changes, including the achievement of gender parity and the integration of new technologies. Being on the programme of the Olympic Games since 1896, Fencing is an original Olympic sport. However, we are constantly looking at how we can improve and can reach more people. Fencing is a dynamic sport, delivering spectacular images and this film shows the excitement and fascination inherent in fencing. Some of the best fencers of the century give their testimony of why they are so passionate about fencing.”