USA Fencing And FIE Sign Memorandum Of Understanding Designed To Maximize The Sport’s Moment On The Road To LA28

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado — The glow of the Olympic Games offers a unique opportunity to widen fencing’s footprint not just here in the United States, but around the world.

In that spirit of growth and collaboration, USA Fencing and the International Fencing Federation (FIE) have signed a memorandum of understanding that establishes a framework for cooperation on the road to the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028.

The agreement, signed April 24 at USA Fencing’s North American Cup in Richmond, Virginia, creates a joint “Fencing Road to LA28 Working Group” tasked with identifying opportunities, sharing information and tracking progress through the Closing Ceremony in Los Angeles. The MOU remains in force through Dec. 31, 2028. World Para Fencing, which is responsible for Paralympic/wheelchair fencing, has been invited to participate as well.

The collaboration arrives at a moment of strong momentum. Following the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games — where Team USA earned four medals, the first-ever team fencing gold in U.S. history and Lee Kiefer OLY's record-setting third Olympic gold — USA Fencing has become one of the fastest-growing National Governing Bodies in the United States, with more than 50,000 members and 750-plus clubs.

The FIE, meanwhile, has set a global strategy built around participation, leadership, education, development and governance in the lead-up to LA28 as it works to expand the sport around the globe.

Under the MOU, USA Fencing and the FIE will coordinate on major communications initiatives, athlete promotion and ambassador work. USA Fencing and the FIE will collaborate on content, events and activations as excitement builds toward LA28.

“This agreement puts into writing the collaborative relationship that USA Fencing and the FIE have enjoyed for decades," says Phil Andrews, CEO of USA Fencing. “The FIE runs fencing around the world, and USA Fencing runs it at home. For the next two-and-a-half years, home is where the Olympic and Paralympic Games are going to be. We have an extraordinary story to tell, and we’re going to tell it better as partners than alone. To our members: this is about making sure that when Los Angeles arrives, the whole world knows what you already know about this sport.”

On the FIE side, the agreement was signed by Interim President Abdelmoneim El Husseiny: “Following fencing’s unforgettable showing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, our entire community is looking ahead with great anticipation to Los Angeles 2028,” El Husseiny says. “To build on that success, we are actively expanding our efforts to grow and develop fencing at all levels. Our MOU with USA Fencing solidifies this commitment, ensuring the brightest future for fencing in the United States and around the world. By deepening our collaboration on the road to LA28, we aim to showcase our sport at its most vibrant, inclusive, and competitive.”

Both organizations have committed to ongoing coordination through the working group, with specific initiatives to be announced as plans take shape.

Fencing has been contested at every modern Olympic Games since 1896, one of only five sports with that distinction (alongside athletics, gymnastics, cycling, and swimming). In 2028, the sport returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center — the same building that served as the Main Press Center at the Los Angeles 1984 Games — for the first home Olympics and Paralympics for U.S. fencing since 1996.

About USA Fencing

USA Fencing is the national governing body for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of fencing in the United States. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA Fencing is recognized by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and the International Fencing Federation (FIE) and serves more than 50,000 members and 750 clubs nationwide. For more information, visit usafencing.org.

About the FIE

The International Fencing Federation (FIE) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the global governing body for fencing, part of the Olympic Games since 1896. Founded in 1913 and based in Lausanne, Switzerland, the FIE maintains affiliation with 157 member federations representing the sport on all five continents. As the sport’s global authority, the FIE is responsible for the global strategy, promotion, and international positioning of the sport. The FIE establishes and oversees the rules for the three disciplines of epee, foil, and sabre at all sanctioned international competitions. For more information, visit: fie.org