Dear Friends!

I am happy to welcome guests and participants of the Fencing World Cup "Fleuret de St. Petersburg".

St. Petersburg is the city of long sporting traditions among which "Fleuret de St. Petersburg" takes one of the top positions. Some of the most famous fencing athletes will be fighting for the awards of the World Cup in St. Petersburg.

Fencing is a very beautiful and exciting sport, which attracts many people with its elegance, grace and courage. Since the time of Peter the Great "fleuret skills" were used as a method of building a character of an honorable man and war spirit.

I am confident that Fencing World cup will once again prove that St. Petersburg is not only a cultural but also sports capital of Russia.

I wish good luck to all participants, honest and beautiful duels and unforgettable memories of St. Petersburg.

 V. I. Matvienko,

Governor of St. Petersburg

Dear friends!

On behalf of the International Fencing Federation and from myself I welcome all participants and guests at the finale of the World Cup "Grand prix" - international tournament "Fleuret de St. Peterbsurg".

Throughout its history "Fleuret de St. Petersburg" deserved universal recognition and is currently holding a special place in the international calendar of fencing events. There are two reasons to explain this phenomenon: faultless organization and high level of competitors. That is why it is twice or may be even three times as honorable to win on the banks of the Neva River.

There is one more factor, which I consider to be very important: this tournament takes place in the location where the concentration of cultural masterpieces is very high. This means that fencing will not only allow young people from around the world enjoy each other's company, but also contribute towards their all-round development.

I wish the strongest athletes, who will come to St. Petersburg honest and beautiful fights, all the judges to be objective and acute, all spectators exciting and memorable moments. Let the strongest win! On guard!

Alisher Usmanov,

President of the International Fencing Federation (FIE)

Dear friends!

On behalf of the Russian Fencing Federation and from myself I welcome all participants and guests of "Fleuret de St. Peterbsurg" - the tournament which will be held in the Northern Capital for the 37^th time!

Several times St. Petersburg played a key role in the history of national fencing. First of all it was born here during the times of Peter I. It was in this city when in 1918 the first fencing classes were taught and the first military gymnastics and fencing school opened its doors. It was here where the first Russian Olympic champion in individual tournament was raised. Viktor Jdanovich won a gold Olympic medal in 1960 in Rome. And finally a very well organized "Fleuret de St. Petersburg" became the key reason for pushing International Fencing Federation (FIE) towards making St. Petersburg the host city for the World Championships in 2007. This championship gathered full house every day of the tournament and was recognized one of the best World Championships in the history of this sport.

I am confident that fencing fans of the Northern capital and all foreign guests will enjoy all the fights between the best fencers of the world. Needless to mention "Fleuret de St. Petersburg" will promote and popularize the sport.

I wish you all fair and beautiful fencing.

Aleksandr Mihaylov,

President of the Russian Fencing Federation

Dear sport fans!

Mikhail Rydnik,
Vice-president of Russian Fencing Federation
President of St. Petersburg Fencing Federation
President of «St. Petersburg Open Company»