Erika Dienstl was recognized with a special Fair Play recognition

This weekend Mme Erika Dienstl was recognized by the International Fair Play Committee with a special Fair Play recognition for her lifelong commitment to excellence and leadership. The award was presented at her home on Stolberg by Sunil Sabharwal CIFP Secretary General.

Dr. Jenő Kamuti, President of the International Fair Play Committee, sent video message to Erika Dienstl, which can be read below this article. The awardee was accompanied by Professor Gudrun Doll-Tepper. Professor Gudrun is Honorary President of ICSSPE, a CIFP founder organization. 

Erika Dienstl was President of the German Fencing Association for 14 years until 2001. From 1982 to 2002 she was Vice President of the German Sports Association. 

At the age of six, Erika Dienstl began gymnastics in the “Allgemeinen Turnverein Stolberg-Atsch”. From 1952 she started her sporting career as an active fencer.

She has been active in sports politics since 1963. First for two years as youth officer of the Rhenish Fencing Association, then as youth officer in the German Fencing Association. For 16 years (1970-1986) she was a member of the board of the association as vice-president before taking over the chair.

She is just as active in the German Sports Aid Foundation set up by Josef Neckermann as in the German Sports Association. In both institutions, Erika Dienstl was vice chairwoman.

In 1995 she was appointed to the Sport and Environment Commission of the International Olympic Committee. In 1999, Dienstl shone with a presentation at the World Congress on Sport and the Environment in Rio de Janeiro.

Erika Dienstl was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit on June 15, 1977, the Federal Cross of Merit 1st Class on April 10, 1984 and the "Great Federal Cross of Merit" in 1996, the letter of honor from the German Gymnastics Federation and in 1997 the Olympic Order in Silver from the IOC (the highest international sports award). After retiring from the office of President of the German Fencing Association, she was appointed Honorary President of this association. In September 2010, Erika Dienstl was awarded the "Honorary Saber of the European Fencing Federation".

Message of Jenő Kamuti:

"Dear Erika Dienstl, dear Madame President,
Dear Erika,

   Please accept my sincere congratulations, in accordance with
the decision of the International Fair Play Committee and on my own
behalf, on the occasion of your being awarded the World Fair Play
Trophy in recognition of your Career.

   Our careers in sports diplomacy have run parallel, and I have
seen you always working and living in the spirit of Fair Play for the
benefit of German, European and also world fencing sport.
Everyone respects you, everyone loves you and you have often found
the best solution in difficult circumstances without hurting anyone.
As the President of the European Fencing Federation, I personally
thank you for the help you have given me.
I would like to express the gratitude of the Olympic movement and
the international fencing community to you.

   I wish you good health and all the best.
Unfortunately, due to health reasons, I am unable to come and hug
you in person, so I have asked my Secretary General and friend, Sunil
to personally present the Fair Play Trophy to you.

With love and friendship,

Jenő"

Photo: CIFP, text source: Wikipedia