Fencing at the Olympic Games: foil, epee, sabre... what are the differences between the weapons?

What's the difference between foil, epee and saber fencing? For these Olympic Games, we tell you everything, while the events are still held at the Grand Palais until August 4, 2024.

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games are hosting fencing, the sport that has earned France the most medals in Olympic history. From July 27 to August 4, the events will take place at the Grand Palais, an emblematic venue for an equally prestigious sport.Fencing, with its three distinct weapons - foil,épée and sabre - is at the heart of the enthusiasm of spectators and athletes alike. But what are the differences between the three weapons? We tell you!

The sword, the weapon of duels!

Thesword is often considered the dueling weapon par excellence. It is the heaviest of all weapons, enabling fencers to hit their opponents all over the body. Unlike foil and sabre,epee is not a weapon of convention, which means that the first to hit scores the point, even in the case of simultaneous hits. Epee is a weapon of precision and strategy, requiring perfect mastery to hit vulnerable areas of the opponent's body.

The foil, the weapon with which to learn fencing!

The foil, on the other hand, is the learning weapon par excellence. Lighter and with a flexible blade, this weapon allows you to score points only by touching your opponent's torso. Because of its priority rules, foil requires technical finesse and a thorough understanding of fencing conventions. Beginners and experts alike appreciate this weapon for its technical challenges and demanding precision.

The sabre, the weapon of the show!

The saber, a cavalry weapon, is distinguished by its speed and dynamism. Touches can be made with the whole blade, and only the areas above the belt are valid, recalling the weapon's military origins. The saber demands explosiveness and quick reflexes, transforming each assault into a veritable show of speed and skill.

Now you know everything there is to know about the different weapons used in fencing... No more excuses for not understanding Olympic fencing events!

And if you want to take upfencing:

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