About The Sport
Fencing is one of only four sports that have been featured in every modern Olympic Games, beginning in 1896. Fencing calls for adaptability, inventiveness, good organization, and patience. This is achieved by good partnership between the fencer and the fencing master. Hard effort is needed if a competitor is to be ready for a match, and long hours must be spent in training, where great attention and discipline are needed.
Fencing evolved from an ancient form of combat, and is practiced indoors. The fencer tries to score the total hits needed to win, while at the same time dexterously avoids being hit by the opponent.
Foil, épée and sabre are the three weapons used in the sport of Fencing, in which both men and women compete. The target areas, as well as the blade, differ for the three weapons.
Six Fencing disciplines are on the Olympic programme, which include six individual and four team events:
Men’s foil (from 1896) – individual & team events
Women’s foil (from 1924) - individual events
Men’s épee (from 1896) – individual & team events
Women’s épee (from 1996) – individual & team events
Men’s sabre (from 1896) – individual & team events
Women’s sabre (from 2004). – individual events