Paris Olympic Games 2024: How does fencing work? Where is the event venue? What dates do the finals take place?

Fencing is one of the oldest sports in the world and dates back to the 19th century. The combat sport is one of the original events from the inaugural modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896. From the different blades used in each of the three disciplines, the differences between individual and team competitions, and how points are scored, here’s how the gold medals will be won at the Grand Palais.

Fencing is one of five combat sports that will be contested during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

But unlike judo, taekwondo, wrestling and boxing, athletes are armed with a sword and will attempt to thrust, guard and – in the case of sabre – slice their way to Olympic gold.

While it might seem like a dangerous sport, athletes’ heads and necks are protected with a metal mesh mask and a bib. White outfits are because historically the tips of the blades were covered in ink to show judges when a thrust was successfully landed.

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Fencing is unique as it is one of the inaugural events from the first modern Olympics at Athens in 1896.

Originally, only men competed in the individual foil and sabre formats. Team and epee events were added in 1904 and 1908 respectively, while women have been able to contest medals since 1924 – the first time Paris hosted the Summer Games.

For Paris 2024, there will be individual and team events for men and women in foil, epee and sabre – meaning there are 12 gold medals in total up for grabs.

Italy (130) and France (123) have won the most Olympic medals in fencing competitions.

When is fencing at the Paris 2024 Olympics?

The fencing competition is underway and the athletes in the individual and team bouts across epee, sabre and foil will be whittled down via a knockout head-to-head format to the bronze and gold medal bouts.

There are gold medal events each day, with the contest concluding with the men’s foil team match on Sunday, August 4.

Where is the event venue?

The fencing is being held at central Paris’ Grand Palais.

The iconic riverside site was built for the Paris Universal Exhibition in 1900, and has undergone restoration to be ready to host the fencing and taekwondo contests.

How are bouts won?

A bout starts with both fencers on the guard line in the guard position and points are scored when an athlete’s weapon lands on the target area. Each has different point-scoring areas as follows:

• Epee – thrusts that hit the whole body
• Foil – thrusts to the torso
• Sabre – cuts and thrusts from the waist to the top of the head

When the blade makes contact, a red or green light is triggered to let the judges know the fencer has made contact.

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Each bout takes place on the piste – a 14m-long strip that the athletes must stay on at all times. If they step off of the piste, their opponent is awarded one point.

The winner is the first to 15 points or the fencer with the highest score at the end of three three-minute periods.

The team format sees three fencers from each nation compete, and the winner is the first team to score 45 points, or the team leading when time runs out.

A team match is a three-a-side relay event. Each fencer takes its turns to fence a member of the opposing team and there are nine bouts in total, with each member facing the opposing team's three fencers.

The first bout ends when one team reaches five or the three minutes are up, and the second bout ends when one team reaches 10 or the time runs out.

This continues until one team reaches 45 points or when the time runs out, with the team with the most points winning.

What are the three different SWORDS USED?

In addition to different point-scoring areas, each format has its own unique sword.

The foil is a lightweight thrusting weapon and points can only be scored with its tip.

The sabre is the same weight as the foil but has an extended hand guard to protect fencers from strikes to the hands.

The epee is the heaviest blade, and like the foil, points can only be scored with its tip.

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