Italy's Cassara named general manager of Russia's foil fencing teams
In short
Italy's Andrea Cassara, an Olympic champion in 2004 and 2012, has been appointed general manager of Russia's men's and women's foil fencing teams, the Russian Fencing Federation's press service said. The 42-year-old takes the post as Russian fencers compete again at international level, and a federation-linked figure said he expects him to bring new energy to the squad.
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Italian Andrea Cassara has taken the post of general manager of Russia's foil fencing teams, the press service of the Russian Fencing Federation said, according to Kommersant. TASS and RIA Novosti also reported the appointment, and RBC reported that the 42-year-old will lead both the men's and women's national teams. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
The federation's statement said: “We congratulate Andrea on the appointment and wish him inexhaustible energy, boundless patience, luck and success in his work for the benefit of Russian fencing.” TASS reported that Cassara won the Olympic Games in 2004 and 2012, and Kommersant reported that his victories came in team competitions. Kommersant also reported that he has seven world championship gold medals. [ 1 , 5 ]
TASS reported that Mamedov said he believes Cassara will give new energy to Russian foil fencers. The report did not identify Mamedov's position. [ 3 ]
Kommersant wrote that the appointment comes as Russian fencing has focused on the quality of preparation for competitions, saying athletes sometimes could not withstand pressure and lost medals, and that constant competition at a high level is needed for results to improve. The outlet noted that Russian athletes have been allowed to compete in International Fencing Federation tournaments with the flag and anthem since June 2026, that the federation abandoned its isolation policy in April 2023, and that Russian national teams competed at the 2025 world championships with squads close to their main line-ups. [ 5 ]
Why it matters
The appointment puts a decorated Italian Olympic champion in charge of Russia's foil programme at a time when Russian fencers are again competing in international tournaments with national symbols. Kommersant tied the hire to a preparation problem it said Russian fencing has faced, in which athletes sometimes could not handle pressure and lost medals.
Key facts
- Andrea Cassara, 42, was appointed general manager of Russia's men's and women's foil fencing teams. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The appointment was announced by the press service of the Russian Fencing Federation. [ 5 ]
- Cassara won Olympic gold in team competitions in 2004 and 2012. [ 1 , 4 , 5 ]
- Cassara also has seven world championship gold medals, according to Kommersant. [ 5 ]
- Mamedov said he believes Cassara will give new energy to Russian foil fencers. [ 3 ]
- Since June 2026, Russian athletes have been allowed to compete in International Fencing Federation events with the flag and anthem, Kommersant reported. [ 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Andrea Cassara has been appointed general manager of the Russian men's and women's foil fencing teams. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Cassara is an Olympic champion, having won in 2004 and 2012 in team competitions. [ 1 , 4 , 5 ]
- Cassara is 42 years old. [ 4 , 5 ]
- He will work with both the men's and women's teams. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Still unclear
- The terms and duration of Cassara's contract are not stated. None of the documents mentions the terms or length of the appointment.
- Mamedov's position is not identified. TASS, the only outlet to quote him, does not say who Mamedov is or what role he holds.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS reports that Italian Cassara has become general manager of the Russian foil fencing team, noting he won the Olympics in 2004 and 2012. [ 1 ]
- RIA Novosti reports Cassara's appointment as general manager. [ 2 ]
- TASS reports Mamedov saying he believes Cassara will give new energy to Russian foil fencers, and that the Italian will lead both the men's and women's teams. [ 3 ]
- RBC reports that 42-year-old Andrea Cassara has been appointed general manager of the Russian men's and women's national teams. [ 4 ]
- Kommersant, citing the Russian Fencing Federation press service, reports the appointment and the federation's congratulatory statement. [ 5 ]