Chair fencing was initially a rehabilitation sport for war veterans!
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Updated on 04/06/2024
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Sabre, handifix and apron: welcome to the world of wheelchair fencing! In our "24 Sports Chrono" series, we tell you everything you need to know about Olympic and Paralympic Games disciplines. En garde!
A Paralympic sport since the first Games in Rome
Fencing has been an Olympic discipline since 1896 and wheelchair fencing has been at every Paralympic Games since the first one in Rome in 1960.
The history of this discipline began at the Stoke Mandeville military hospital, 60 km north of London, in the aftermath of the Second World War. It was used as a rehabilitation tool for veterans with spinal cord injuries. An innovative way of strengthening their muscles and working on their balance.
When and where?
Paralympic Games: the wheelchair fencing events will be held in the nave of the newly renovated Grand Palais from September 3rd to 7th, 2024.
Olympic Games: events take place between July 27th and August 4th, 2024, also at the Grand Palais.
Olympic Games: events take place between July 27th and August 4th, 2024, also at the Grand Palais.
What are the rules?
Afraid you won't understand? Don't worry: the rules are broadly similar to those of fencing! With two major differences: duelists fight each other using only the upper half of their body. Wheelchairs are stuck to the floor.
Competitors hold their weapons in one hand, and their armchairs in the other. Duels can get rather intense!
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Each weapon has its own rules!
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Foil: target area is limited to the trunk. Fencers must use the point of their foil to score hits.
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Sabre: the target area is extended to the whole of the opponent's body above the waist, including the mask, points can be won using the whole of the weapon.
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Epee: same target area as the sabre but points are won by only scoring with the point of the weapon.
Liking the 24 Sports Chrono series?
The "24 Sports Chrono" is a weekly feature published during the lead up to the Games. Missed the previous episode? Catch up here with badminton.
Who will represent France?
With 62 Paralympic gold medals, the French team is the most successful wheelchair fencing team in the world!
Les Bleus hope to shine this year thanks to veteran Robert Citerne (10 Paralympic gold medals since 1988!); Marc-André Cratère, silver medalist in sabre at the London 2012 Games; and Yannick Ifébé, gold medalist in team épée at the Rio 2016 Games. The latter two athletes are supported by the City of Paris.
Where to practice in Paris
Paris has several wheelchair fencing clubs: CSINI Saint-Jean-de-Dieu, Club d'escrime franco-cubain and Association handi-jeunes de Paris.
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