IOC President Thomas Bach and the international fencing family were also greeted by HOC President Krisztián Kulcsár. President Kulcsár greeted IOC President Thomas Bach and International Fencing Federation President Alisher Usmanov. Several prominent members of the international fencing and Olympic family attended Thursday's banquet in the Hungarian Parliament.
The HOC President said in his toast it is excellent that all fencing events will be held in Tokyo. The two-time Olympic silver medallist, World and European Champion épée fencer, besides talking about the FIE World Fencing Championships held in Budapest, also elaborated on gender equality – an issue close to the IOC's heart. Based on final data 1061 fencers, 578 men and 483 women, hailing from 115 countries will fight on the piste at the 2019 World Championships also relevant for Olympic qualification. The youngest competitor is 14 years old, while the oldest is 61.
Many sport leaders, IOC members and members of the Hungarian and International Fencing Federation were in attendance at the banquet, such as HOC Honorary President Pál Schmitt, International Fair Play Committee President Dr. Jenő Kamuti, International Weightlifting Federation President Dr. Tamás Aján, Hungarian Fencing Federation President Zsolt Csampa and HOC Secretary-General Bálint Vékássy.
Thomas Bach also met Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Thursday, then opened the World Championships in Budapest and spectated the evening Finals, among them the silver medal performance of sabre fencer András Szatmári.
Previous editions of the World Fencing Championships in Budapest include the 1926, 1933, 1959, 1975, 1991 and 2013 events.
(HOC, photo: HOC/Péter Szalmás)