IOC President Thomas Bach shares his love of fencing with youngsters in Rio de Janeiro
In last of series of IOC events for aspiring young athletes, 1976 gold medallist goes back to his roots
Thomas Bach shared his fencing experience with 30 youngsters in Rio (Rio 2016/Alexandre Loureiro)
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach went back in time to his fencing days in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday (28 February). The German, who was in the city for an IOC Executive Board meeting, took the lead role in a ‘fencing clinic’ with local youngsters from a social project in Tijuca, in the north of Rio.
Bach, who won a gold medal in the team foil event at the Montreal 1976 Olympic Games, spoke with about 30 young fencers, sharing his story in the sport and answering questions. He then dueled with eight-year-old Mateus da Cruz, who said: “It was really cool, loads of fun. It was amazing to fence with an Olympic Champion.”
The IOC President took up the challenge of a duel with eight-year-old Matheus da Cruz (Photo: Rio 2016/Alexandre Loureiro)
Mateus’s mother, Luciana, said her son had been inspired to take up fencing through his love of the film Star Wars. “When I told him there was a sport with swords, he asked me to take him right away. Now he’s in love with it,” she said.
Bach said: “I haven’t used this equipment for a long time, but being here with these kids is a great feeling, it brings back memories of when I started fencing as a kid.”
Bach also joined the kids in watching two Brazilian fencers in action (Photo: Rio 2016/Alexandre Loureiro)
The event was the third this week in which former athletes now working for the IOC had participated in during their visit to Rio. On Sunday (22 February), athletics legends Sergey Bubka and Nawal El Moutawakel gave advice and training to aspiring young athletes, while on Friday (27 February), Anita DeFrantz took part in a rowing clinic at the Olympic venue of Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas.
DeFrantz, who won a rowing bronze medal for the USA at Montreal 1976, met with a group of 30 rowers, sharing her experience with them and even taking to the water for a row. “It’s a great privilege to be here, where the Games will take place a little over a year from now, and to feel the enthusiasm and dedication of these young people, who are fighting for a place on the Brazilian team,” she said. “This place is spectacular. I’m sure that the athletes will be dazzled when they arrive for the Games.”
