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What was it like in
Rio, Ms Wiesner?
Being a referee at the 2016 Paralympics
was an amazing experience; it really was
a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’ve been
fencing since I was 12 years old. In my
club, both able-bodied and wheelchair
fencers train together. I was 16 and 18 when I obtained
my trainer and referee licences in épée and foil fencing.
My first major experience as a referee was at the World Cup
competitions in wheelchair fencing. The camaraderie, the
coming together of different nationalities and the oppor
tunity to experience and to demonstrate inclusion on such
a high-profile stage have inspired me ever since.
When I was nominated as a referee for Rio last March,
I accepted immediately. I got to spend ten unforgettable
days in the Paralympic Village and attending competitions.
Brazil is a country that is crazy about sport. My own per
sonal highlight was being the main referee for the Men’s
Epée Team Final between France and China. I’ll never forget
the amazing atmosphere in the packed hall. Wheelchair
fencers rarely get a chance to compete in front of so many
spectators as at the Paralympics.
My experience as a trainer also helps me in my job at Festo.
However, I’m not training myself. My colleagues and I in the
Product Training department provide product trainers with
organisational, methodological and educational support
and assist with the creation of learning media and training
hardware. I also organise major events such as Inter
national Product Training (IPT), two one-week events for 300
Festo colleagues from Europe, Asia and America. IPT also
provides the participants – product marketing managers
and technical support experts from all over the world – with
a platform for sharing experience and information. My job
is to ensure that all the trainers have everything they need
to share their expertise and experience in presentations,
workshops and small group sessions. Of course this doesn’t
require any referees, because in product training every
one’s a winner.
1.2017
trends in automation
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