The 1997 World Fencing Championships were held from 13 July to 19 July 1997 in Cape Town, South Africa at the newly constructed Foreshore Exhibition Centre.

Ninety-seven national fencing federations were invited to send teams of up to 20 competitors each. The competition for men was held in all three weapons - foil, eppe and sabre, while the women completed in foil and eppe. Both individual and team events were scheduled for the championships. The event also included the inaugural Veteran's World Fencing Championships in eppe. A special venue was built by a private developer at a cost of R30 million. The Culemborg World Fencing Championships Centre in Cape Town housed all the competition and practice pistes in one building, whilst the adjacent Finals Hall included a plush hospitality suite equipped to international standards.

Future Polish olympic medalists and trainers.

Featured athletes. Polish Fencers.

Sylwia Gruchala, Ania Rybicka, Alicja Kryczalo, Katarzyna Felusiak, Ryszard Sobczak, Tadeusz Paginski.

Photo. Barbara  Chodacki   Cape Town 1997