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Just Joined
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That does not sound bad to me... 
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Senior Member
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 Originally Posted by ThatReallyHurt What exactly has Rene Roch done that makes a lot of people dislike him? Anything really damaging to the sport, like scandals or swiping money, or does it come down to the new rules, equipment requirements, and timings?
Although a scandal may not be a bad thing - fencing needs some more publicity, and as they say (whomever "they" are), any publicity is good publicity... René Roch was held to have defamed the French Fencing Federation earlier this year through an article in the Escrime magazine the content of which I believe he is responsible for; in my opinion he brought the sport into disrepute.
If fencing were a sport in the public eye, his position might well have become untenable. (The latest version of escrime magazine carried an acknowledgement (in French only) that the earlier article was defamatory.
As others have said, many people object to Roch's autocratic attitude which suggests to many that he does not believe he needs to take account of other people's opinions. I caught this morning morning’s minion, king-
dom of daylight’s dauphin, dapple-dawn-drawn Falcon, in his riding
Of the rolling level underneath him steady air, and striding
High there, how he rung upon the rein of a wimpling wing
In his ecstasy! then off, off forth on swing,
As a skate’s heel sweeps smooth on a bow-bend: the hurl and gliding
Rebuffed the big wind. My heart in hiding
Stirred for a bird,—the achieve of; the mastery of the thing!
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Curmudgeon Emeritus
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Other people have opinions? 
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Senior Member
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Rene Roch's success in protecting Olympic fencing traditions has as much to do with Jacques Rogge, head of the IOC, and with the powerful heads of national fencing associations as it does with Roch himself.
Anyone who heads a global sporting federation deals with the lion on one hand, and jackals on the other. Roch certainly has.
It's a miracle, and a tribute of sorts, that he still lives and breathes.
But I don't think that's the issue.
Here we have a Russian millionaire (presumably a millionaire, and fortunately a fencer) who has decided that the price of the FIE presidency is $7 million.
Is this right? Does this ring true to you? Or is this, frankly, vaguely weird?
Either Mr. Usmanov has profoundly sensible ideas to promote the growth and evolution of fencing on the planet, and is prepared to be elected on the strength of those ideas.
Or he is a generous benefactor who wants put money into a fabulous sport to enhance its growth, and create new generations of afficionados.
Each of these missions is worthy, and each of them is honorable.
But Mr. Usmanov, surprisingly, has combined them.
I would be interested to know if the $7 million will still be available should he not be elected. Or if he is prepared to be elected on his merits, without the $7 million attached.
Resolve that, and I think we will know if all is right and proper with the FIE, and if Mr. Usmanov is truly the man to lead the sport into the future.
Mr. Rogge, who literally holds fencing's future in the palm of his hand, will assuredly be watching this remarkable election.
So should we all.
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Originally Posted by Inquartata Other people have opinions? The idea that Rogge holds fencing's future in the palm of his hand is disturbing and untrue.
I'm a bit of an iconclast on this subject, but I think the FIE ought to tell the IOC to go take a long walk off a short plank--that we aren't going to screw with our sport any more based on hair-brained IOC ideas. And if they kick us out of the Olympics because we have taken a principled stand, so be it. Fencing would survive without the Olympics. For that matter, good fencing would survive without the Olympics.
Electric sabre is good.
Getting rid of the fleche in sabre is good.
Wireless fencing would be fine if they could develop a system that didn't cost too much and wasn't totally bizarre in its operation.
Wireless sabre in its current incarnation does not meet the two conditions in the sentence immediately above this one.
The plexiglass masks are a wash--if people want to wear them, that is fine, but I think it is repulsive that the FIE has mandated them for the finals of high-level sabre events.
My $.02 for this morning.
MR Why sabre? Because you don't take heads with the point.
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Quit (no longer with us)
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>>
Here we have a Russian millionaire (presumably a millionaire, and fortunately a fencer) who has decided that the price of the FIE presidency is $7 million.
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Actually more like 3.5 BILLION $$$! This is pocket change for him.
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Demorcracy? Has the U.S.A.. decided who they will vote for?
If yes: who made the decsion and when?
If no: who and when and what criteria will be used to judge the merits of each candidate.
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I am not sure who has the US vote(s) but from what I hear (from a insider) there is no way the US is going to back Usmanov. I have also heard Usmanov has done a good job in Russia so it could be a mistake. I am sure one of the more politically connected USFA people will have more detailed information. What is the stance in GB?
Last edited by sabreman; 11-30-2004 at 02:47 PM.
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I know Vladimir Nazlymov is going to the Paris for the election and presumably to vouch for Usmanov. I'm not sure how the USA is voting. -Sabresque
"Those whippernsapper Be-Bop Bohemians!"
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Originally Posted by sabreman I am not sure who has the US vote(s) but from what I hear (from a insider) there is no way the US is going to back Usmanov. I have also heard Usmanov has done a good job in Russia so it could be a mistake. I am sure one of the more politically connected USFA people will have more detailed information. What is the stance in GB? Interesting.... Why wouldn't the US back Usmanov? If they have a good reason that I would like to hear it.
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If you look at the composition of the FIE committees, the US is very well represented as compared to pretty much every other federation. Thus, why vote for somebody that might change that? Obviously, I do not know the inside scoop, and there might be many more meaningful reasons for aligning with the status quo.
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Curmudgeon Emeritus
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They might try asking Roy Horn about the wisdom of cohabiting with a tiger that seems tame...
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Din Älskling
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Mr.Roch(FIE President) found that it was very upsetting that certain promises had not been maintained so far. When the contract was signed for Fencing, it was mentioned that there would be a test event and with the current situation he was told that there would be a World Cup instead organized by the US Fencing Federation who had not a great expertise in such organization. He urged that a test event be held before the Games otherwise there could be serious problems during the competitions at the Games. he added that, as the FIE did not receive any installations map, up to date it was not known yet in what conditions Fencing competitions would take place. "Since when does being a patriot in America mean shutting your mouth?"
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zz,zz,zz,zz,zz,zz!
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>>Interesting.... Why wouldn't the US back Usmanov? If they have a good reason that I would like to hear it.
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Gav, I think JEC is on the mark. Also my source is connected to both the USFA and Russian sides (without naming names).
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