Fencing
A game that has evolved from the ancient form of combat, Fencing is one of only four sporting events that have featured in all the modern Olympic Games. Fencing was the first event whereby recognized professionals were included in a medals competition.
Presently, Fencing at the Olympic games feature men competing in both team and individual events using three types of swords - the foil, the épée and the sabre. Women also compete in both team and individual events, but only using the foil and épée. It was in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta that Women's épée events were first added to the Olympic program.
The fencing event in the 2008 Beijing Olympics is slated to be held at the Fencing Hall in the National Convention Center on the Olympic Green from August 9-17.
Given below is list of the fencing events in Beijing Olympics:
- Epée individual Men & Women
- Epée team Men
- Foil individual Men & Women
- Foil Team Women
- Sabre individual Men & Women
- Sabre team Men & Women
The equipments for fencing include:
- Blade - hitting part of a sword
- Chest guard - used for protecting the chest
- Epee - a thrusting sword that has evolved from the dueling sword
- Foible - weaker part of a sword blade
- Foil - a thrusting sword featuring a flexible rectangular blade
- Grip - handle of a sword
- Gloves
- Guard - part of a sword between the blade and handle that protects the dueling hand
- Mask
- Piste - field of play where a fencing duel is held
- Point - end of the blade, which should touch the opponent's target area to score a point
- Rapier - a thrusting sword with an elaborate hilt and pointed blade
- Sabre - modern version of slashing cavalry sword
Flightshotelstours.com gives detailed information on Fencing and other 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics Sports.
