General introduction
(www.athens2004.com)
Updated: 2004-07-29 10:32

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.

Description

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, ιpιe 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.

ATHENS 2004 Fencing

Some 200 fencers will be taking part in the 2004 Olympics. The Fencing competitions will be held in the Fencing Hall of the Helliniko Olympic Complex.

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 epee (from 1896) – individual & team events

Women’s epee (from 1996) – individual & team events

Men’s sabre (from 1896) – individual & team events

Women’s sabre (from 2004). – individual events