Achievements of Alisher Usmanov as head of the International Fencing Federation

Alisher Usmanov heads the International Fencing Federation (FIE) December 6, 2008. He was re-elected to this post in 2012, 2016 and 2021. On March 1, 2022, he temporarily suspended his powers as president of the FIE due to EU sanctions.

In the first years of its work, the International Fencing Federation implemented a large-scale program of assistance to national federations. IN FIE was two funds have been created — one has accumulated $2.5 million for prize payments at top competitions, the other (reserve) — $10 million, guaranteeing the financial stability of the structure.

FIE's annual budget has increased from $5 million in 2007 to $21.4 million in 2020. According to media estimates, Mr. Usmanov himself donated to the needs of the federation over $80 million

At the time of the first election of Alisher Usmanov, the FIE included 127 national fencing federations; now their number increased by almost 23% and is 156.

At the Tokyo Olympics, which took place in 2021, there was 12 sets of medals were awarded for the first time in all possible disciplines (6 individual and 6 in a team) instead of 10, as was previously.

During the pandemic in the 2020/21 season, the FIE conducted online training for judges, federations managed to hold a series of “live” international competitions - in Doha, Budapest, Kazan, Cairo.

FIE has taken steps to popularization of fencing through television contracts and other media. In 2014 the FIE signed cooperation agreement with Eurosport, on which the TV channel began broadcasting national, regional and international competitions taking place under the auspices of the federation.

Competition broadcasts became more spectacular and understandable thanks to the use of professional television crews and special effects. Fights are shown from different angles, in slow motion (with slow motion replays).

Changes have been made to the rules of duels, aimed at maximum combat activity. The equipment has changed - now the athlete does not have a long cable trailing behind him, with which he was “chained” to a sensitive electronic system. New wireless technologies allow the referee to determine the thrust and its accuracy.

In 2019 FIE launched a new version of the official website FIE.org with improved design, functionality and mobile version.