French fencing is currently navigating through troubled waters. Bruno Gares, the president of the French Fencing Federation (FFE), resigned on Friday September 29, the latter announced in a press release. “ The federal office of the FFE met today. Bruno Gares, the president of the federation, announced his decision to end all of his federal mandates for personal reasons »she adds.
Fencing is one of the sports that usually provides the most French medals during the Olympic Games. This resignation comes after other departures of managers in the sector. Virginie Thobor, national technical director, left the federation in January, and two changes took place at the head of men’s saber and women’s foil. In the spring, Vincent Anstett, at the head of the sabreurs, had been disembarked. And Lionel Plumenail left his position as national coach of the French foilists just after the Worlds.
The case of Hugues Obry also troubled French fencing. The future of the former fencer now at the head of men’s epee had been up in the air since the end of the Worlds, following heated debriefings with his athletes. A relative of the actors had mentioned a “real break” to describe the situation, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP). Thursday September 28, final meetings – in which the National Sports Agency took part – decided for its maintenance, according to one of the participants.
An interim president will be appointed “quickly”
The ministry’s sports department was alerted at the start of the year of dysfunctions linked to the president of the FFE, AFP learned from a source close to the matter. A general inspection mission launched in March was still underway in mid-September.
Elected in September 2020 against outgoing president Isabelle Lamour, Bruno Gares’ mandate ultimately lasted only three years. The federal office of the FFE announced that it will appoint an interim president ” quickly “.