Geeks on Sports: London Olympics 2012 – Fencing

Event Dates: Saturday July 28 – Sunday August 5

Medal Events: 10

Athletes: 212 (105 men / 107 women)

 

 

Geeks on Sports previewer Tim Blacksmith here today to tell you all about Fencing, a sport where the goal is to poke your opponent…get your mind out of the gutter!

 

As one of the few sports at the London Olympics, along with weightlifting and boxing, that could easily be held in the ballroom of whatever local Holiday Inn or Marriott was available in the downtown London area, fencing clearly appeals to the masses, right?

Oh, wait, that’s right…now I remember.  No, it doesn’t.  It’s a sport rooted in high-society and like Equestrian events tends to be outside the realm of interest for blue collar types.

 

The sport itself is pretty intense with each of the three rounds lasting just three minutes and the winner needing to land only fifteen scores to win.  There are a series of events involved in fencing using three different types of sword: Epee, Foil and Sabre.  There are team and individual events.

 

What’s in it for you as a viewer?  There is fast action and a short requirement of attention span.  Lunges, an attacking move, can come at any moment and land a strike in the blink of an eye.  Unless the opponent parry’s, a defensive move, and performs a reposte, which is term for landing a successful strike after parrying an opponent’s offensive maneuver.

Points are scored when one competitor successfully lands a strike with their sword using either the tip or the edge of the blade.  Each of the Fencing events at the games will be in knockout tournament style format as the competitors or teams progressing with each victory.

 

There’s a lot of fun to be had watching fencing.  It’s a throwback to days past when sword fighting was commonplace but instead of fighting for honor or a woman these competitors battle for glory and recognition.

 

 

To see where to watch this or your other favorite sports, check out NBC’s coverage in your local area.

 

I hope you have enjoyed this preview of the 2012 London Olympics Fencing event.  Continue to check 8DaysAGeekfor more previews of Olympic events.

Courtesy of London2012.com

 

 

This is Geeks on Sports previewer Tim Blacksmith signing off.

 

 

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