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Vice President of the Organizing Committee of the Krakow-Malopolska 2023 European Games Janusz Koziol has been honored by the European Fencing Confederation (EFC). The diploma of recognition and a symbolic rapier are thanks for his involvement in the process of raising the profile of fencing competition at this year’s Games. Thanks to his diplomatic efforts and the support of the honorary president of the Polish Fencing Association, Adam Konopka, and EFC secretary Jacek Slupski, the competition in Krakow will also have the rank of European championships.

The rules of the world fencing federation clearly define the time that must separate the start of the European Championships and the World Championships. The Organizing Committee of the Krakow-Malopolska 2023 European Games, together with the Polish Fencing Association, had long been striving to ensure that the competition scheduled to take place in Krakow’s Tauron Arena would also have the rank of an Old Continental championship. What stood in the way was the fact that the period between the largest multidisciplinary sports event in Poland and the world championships was too short.

Janusz Koziol, vice president of the Company European Games 2023, together with the honorary president of the Polish Fencing Association – Adam Konopka, launched all possible avenues of sports diplomacy to bring the best fencers in Europe to Krakow. When it seemed that the collision of deadlines was insurmountable, EFC (European Fencing Confederation) Secretary Jacek Slupski rushed to help. Thanks to the favor of EFC President Giorgio Scarso, the impossible was accomplished – the start date of the world championships was postponed.

This means that Krakow will be home for the best fencers on the Old Continent, who will fight for ranking points for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and European Championship medals. In gratitude for his immense commitment to the process, Janusz Koziol was honored by the European Fencing Confederation with a diploma of appreciation and an impressive and symbolic rapier. The award was presented to the president of the IE2023 Organizing Committee by Adam Konopka and Jacek Slupski.

The fencing competition at the 2023 European Games will take place at the Tauron Arena Krakow in three disciplines: sword, fencing and saber. The struggles will last from June 23 to 30. They will be attended by 460 athletes, who will compete for 12 sets of medals.