USA Fencing

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Three-time Olympian Alexander Massialas (San Francisco, Calif.) has been elected by his peers to serve on the FIE Athletes Commission, a group of active athletes that gives fencers a voice in all matters relating to the International Fencing Federation.

Massialas was elected by his fellow athletes during a vote at the 2022 Fencing World Championships in Cairo. Of the 1,019 fencers eligible to vote at the event, 536 cast ballots — a turnout of 52.6%.

"I wanted to join the Athletes Commission because I think it's important that the athletes have a seat at the decision-making table," Massialas says. "I believe I am well-positioned to advocate for the needs of the athletes."

Massialas, who has earned three Olympic medals and six Senior Worlds medals, was one of six athletes elected in Cairo (see the list below). In September, the FIE Executive Committee will add up to six more members to the Athletes Commission, forming a group of as many as 12 athletes.

The goal is to ensure that, when the commission is fully formed, all six weapons (men's and women's epee, men's and women's foil, and men's and women's saber) are represented — as are the four zones (Europe, America, Africa and Asia/Oceania).

The FIE Athletes Commission will meet Sept. 28, 2022, to elect its president and prepare its working calendar. Athletes serve four-year terms — which will give Massialas and his peers plenty of time to realize their goals.

"One thing I would like to accomplish is better and more open communication with the Referee Commission," he says, "so that athletes have a clear understanding of how certain calls will be made throughout the year and if there are certain points of emphasis the Referee Commission is focused on."

Massialas joins the Athletes Commission as a fellow member of the U.S. Olympic Team ends her term. Mariel Zagunis (Beaverton, Ore.) served for two four-year terms, ensuring that USA Fencing and its members had a seat at this important table.

These members were elected at the 2022 Fencing World Championships in Cairo, Egypt:

• Olga Kharlan, Ukraine — women's saber
• Yannick Borel, France — men's epee
• Kim Jung-hwan, Korea — men's saber
• Ruben Limardo, Venezuela — men's epee
• Alexander Massialas, United States of America — men's foil
• Jessica Zi Jia Guo, Canada — women's foil