The European Fencing Confederation in Genoa: Inspection at the Palasport 4 Months Before the European Championships
Palasport and Jean Nouvel are in the spotlight these days in Genoa following the inspection and site visit by the officials of the European Fencing Confederation, which officially kicks off the countdown to the European Fencing Championships “Genoa 2025” scheduled to take place from June 14 to 19.
Liguria 2025, the European Region of Sport, will host the first major fencing event of the Olympic cycle leading up to Los Angeles 2028. A total of 450 athletes representing 45 nations will compete on the pistes at Jean Nouvel and Palasport in Genoa. The greatest fencing stars who shone at Paris 2024 will reunite in Liguria.
The organizing committee, led by Beppe Costa and coordinated by Giovanni Falcini, has been working on the event for a long time. Last year, the Italian Junior and Cadet Championships were held at Jean Nouvel, serving as a dress rehearsal for this major European event.
Yesterday, the top officials of the ECF and FIS inspected the venues and were highly impressed by the newly renovated Palasport, which will host the final competitions. In Genoa, the inspection team included Polish official Jacek Slupski (Secretary General of the European Fencing Confederation), Slovakian Julius Kralik (Technical Director of the European Fencing Confederation), and Finnish Lena Tallroth-Kock (Chair of the European Championships Tournament Committee). They were welcomed by Giorgio Scarso (Honorary President of the Italian Fencing Federation), Francesco Montini (Vice President of the Italian Fencing Federation), and Giovanni Falcini (Coordinator of the Local Organizing Committee for the “Genoa 2025” European Fencing Championships).
“We have seen that the facilities we inspected a year ago have been completed, and the result is truly extraordinary,” stated the European officials. “This is the most beautiful venue we have seen in the past 20 years. It will be an outstanding and captivating event, and we are certain that Genoa will be a winning host, thanks to its hospitality and the many wonderful opportunities it will offer to all delegations.”
Giovanni Falcini also expressed great satisfaction at the end of the inspection. “After many years, an event of Olympic caliber is returning to Genoa. The last time was in 1992, with the Colombiadi. This will be an incredible showcase for fencing, promoting the sport throughout Liguria and showcasing Liguria to the world. We are expecting over 18,000 spectators. Everyone will have the chance to see the new Waterfront di Levante with its modern structures. The officials have confirmed the full support of the entire European federation. This is an additional boost for our committee, which is working daily to make this dream a reality.”
