Greetings

Yuri Luzhkov Mayor of Moscow

I am pleased to welcome you to the 2009 Moscow World Veteran Fencing Championships.

Our city, one of glorious sporting traditions and home to one of Europe’s biggest sporting centers, is greatly honored to host such a prestigious event. We are particularly grateful to the International Fencing Federation and its President, Mr. Alisher Usmanov, for allowing the contest to come to Moscow and to Russia for the first time.

I am convinced that these Championships will play an integral role in the wider development of veteran sports, but also in friendship, co-operation and mutual understanding between countries and continents. It is in this spirit that I invite you to make the very best of your time with us: enjoy our ancient city, meet those who share your passions, and do everything in your power to create fond, long-lasting memories.

I wish all of you luck, the results you hope for, and an unforgettable impression of our unforgettable city.

Vitaly Mutko Russian Federation’s Minister for Sport, Tourism and Youth Politics

Dear Friends!

On behalf of the Russian Federation’s Ministry for Sport, Tourism and Youth Politics I am happy to welcome the guests, participants and organizers of the 2009 Moscow World Veteran Fencing Championships.

I have no doubt that this Championship will be a great event for veteran sports and sports in general in Russia. By gathering together the world’s best veteran fencers, it will bring new life to all those who have, or are now considering, devoting their lives to this most magnificent and romantic of sports.

I am also sure that such a prestigious competition will be held in a strong atmosphere of friendship, trust, mutual understanding and sportsmanship!

I wish you all good luck, good health and good victories!

Alexander Mikhaylov President of the Russian Fencing Federation

Welcome!

The International Fencing Federation’s decision to bring the World Veteran Fencing Championships to Moscow in 2009 is a wonderful present for Russian fencing and all Russian sport.

Organizing and holding this event will bring new drive to the development of the Veteran Movement in our country – greater even than that created by the 2003 Moscow European Championships. It will also aid us in realizing our goal of improving public health through the spheres of physical culture and sport.

The Russian Fencing Federation fully recognizes the role and importance of sport to the modern world, and will do all it can to make this a bright and memorable competition held up to the very highest of standards – all set against the backdrop of world-famous Russian hospitality.

On behalf of both the Federation and myself I would like to wish all participants, guests and organizers good luck on the pistes, pleasant meetings in the lobbies, and unforgettable impressions from your time in Moscow.