On behalf of the Estonian Fencing Association, I am pleased to welcome all competitors and guests to the Men’s Epee World Cup Competition “Sword of Tallinn 2012”.

The Estonian Fencing Association is honoured to play host to the annual meeting of the world’s top fencers in Tallinn. A record 245 athletes from 38 countries took part in the 2011 “Sword of Tallinn” fencing competition, with teams from 26 different countries taking part in the team competition. A large number of participants are similarly expected to take part in the high level competition this year.

The competition is taking place for the 42nd time this year and is the second to last World Cup event, the results of which will be taken into account in qualifying for the London Olympics. Since the Olympics are taking place this year, this aristocratic sport will find itself the subject of greater interest by international and Estonian media. It is a big incentive for our youth to get involved with the sport and will hopefully bring new young people into our fencing halls.

On several previous occasions, the athlete that won the Sword of Tallinn competition went on to become an Olympic champion. This was accomplished in 1992 by Frenchman Éric Srecki, in 1996 by Russian Aleksandr Beketov and in 2008 by Italian Matteo Tagliariol.

I wish all tournament participants an exciting sporting event and a memorable stay in Tallinn during the 2012 Sword of Tallinn Fencing competition.

Tőnis Kaasik
President of the Estonian Fencing Association