Fencing

The sword was one of the earliest weapons of offence and defence. As technology advanced, swordplay instead became a way of settling differences among the upper class. In 1570, Henri Saint-Didier of France gave names to fencing's major movements and established French as its official language. Nearly 330 years later it joined the Olympic Games and hasn't left since.

Fencing uses three types of swords: the foil, the épée and the sabre. Matches take place on a strip 14 m long by 1.5 m to 2 m wide. The competition format is a straight direct elimination; with individual matches lasting until 15 hits are scored or nine minutes of effective fencing time has passed. For the team events, nine matches are fenced in five-hit (or three-minute) intervals. The first team to 45 hits (or is leading after time has run out) advances.

Foil is a light weapon developed from the rapier, formerly used as a practice weapon. For a valid hit, the point of the blade must contact the opponent's trunk. Épée is a modern weapon derived from the duelling sword. The épée is heavier than the foil, with a stiff dual-edged blade. Recorded by an electronic system, hits can be scored with the point of the sword anywhere on the opponent's body. A double hit occurs when both fencers score a hit at the same time, in which case they each score a point.

Finally, sabre is the modern version of the cavalry sword. Hits can be made with the edge or the point anywhere on the opponent's upper body above the belt, including the head and arms. As in foil, the competitor under attack must fend off the attack before being allowed to score.

Athletes

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