Why Are Fencers Tethered in the Olympics? Explained

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As a long-time enthusiast of the Olympic Games, I must say that the Paris Olympics 2024 has piqued my curiosity with its innovative approach to fencing – tethering the competitors to a cable for electronic scoring.

As an avid fan, I’ve been pondering over the unique setup at the Paris Olympics 2024 for fencers. Instead of moving around freely in the traditional bouts, they are connected to a cable. This quirky twist has certainly grabbed my attention and that of many other fans, igniting curiosity and intrigue among us.

As a fencing enthusiast myself, I’d like to share some insights about the significance of tethering in our beloved sport. Here’s what you should know!

Why are fencers tethered in Paris Olympics 2024?

During the Paris 2024 Olympic Fencing events, organizers attach fencers to a wire mainly for improving the precision of scorekeeping during bouts.

The “body cord” is a term used for this cable that bridges the connection between a fencer’s uniform and their weapon to an electronic scoring device. When the fencer’s weapon touches their opponent’s conductive clothing, referred to as a lamé, the body cord finishes an electrical circuit, thereby logging a legitimate touch.

1. Electrical scoring in fencing has been utilized since 1933, playing a crucial role in ensuring precise judgments due to the sport’s quick pace and intricate movements, making manual calls with just the eye challenging. The body cord system effectively records all valid touches, preserving the tournament’s honesty and fairness by providing accurate results.

Fencing consists of three primary forms: foil, épée, and sabre, according to the Olympic website. In each category, there are distinct areas to hit and different ways to earn points. Foil and épée are primarily used for thrusting attacks, with foil aimed at the upper body and épée covering the entire body. Sabre is unique as it allows both thrusts and cuts, awarding points for strikes on the chest, face mask, neck bib, and upper arms.

Fencing gear is engineered to ensure both effectiveness and security. It comprises elements like stainless steel masks, neck protectors made of Kevlar, jackets, breastplates (plastrons), gloves, pants (breeches), and long socks for all fencers. Female fencers are required to wear additional protective chest plates beneath their jackets for enhanced safety, while male fencers can choose to use them.

1. To put it simply, during the Paris 2024 Olympics, fencers will be connected to an electronic scoring cable for enhanced accuracy. This setup assures a fair game as it precisely records legitimate hits.

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2024-07-30 18:41