Fencing competitions in sabers and foils have been included in the Summer Olympic Games since 1896. In 1900, the epee competition was added to the existing disciplines. Women began participating in fencing at the Olympics in 1924.
To conduct a fight of fencers, you need a track 14 m long and 1, 5 to 2 m wide.
Athletes use three types of weapons: epee, rapier or saber. In competitions on steps or foils, the number of punctures is recorded, because these types of weapons are related to stabbing. If the fight is carried out with sabers, which is also a chopping weapon, then their blows are also counted.
Epee players have the right to inject in different parts of the body. The only exception is the back of the head. At the same time, only the torso can be hit with the rapier. The rest of the shots will not be counted. Another difference between fights with rapiers and swords is the order of attacks. Epee fencing occurs synchronously between opponents, and foil fencers act in a certain order. The right to inject passes from one athlete to another.
It is important for fencers to be able to coordinate their actions correctly. It is necessary to avoid enemy attacks, to inflict jabs and blows and at the same time to comply with the rules established for this Olympic sport.
The athletes wear a white uniform to ensure that the shots are counted accurately. A cotton tip soaked in ink is put on the weapon. When in contact with the fencer's clothing, a foil, epee or saber leaves a mark.
Great fencing athletes are called "maestros". Among the record holders for the Olympic medals received, one can single out the Italian Edoardo Manjarotti, who won 13 medals from 1936 to 1960, of which 6 were gold, 5 silver and 2 bronze. Hungarian athlete Aladar Gerevich is slightly behind Manjarotti - he has 10 Olympic medals, and 7 of them are gold. In the women's championship, Italian athletes distinguished themselves: Valentina Vezzali and Giovanna Trillini.
