If you’ve watched the Olympic Games, you may have noticed that fencers are connected to a cable, making them look as though they are chained by a large rope.
In reality, these cables are not just safety accessories for Olympic fencers, nor are they meant to pull them back if they or their opponent become too aggressive. These cables are used because the speed of the sport is incredibly fast.
This cable is connected to both the fencer’s weapon and their protective gear.
In fact, this type of cable is not ordinary electrical wiring; it is a special, lightweight, and flexible type of wire. It connects to both the weapon and the fencer’s protective gear. Both the weapon and the protective gear are equipped with sensors. When the tip of the sword strikes a valid area on the opponent’s armor with enough force, the sensors send a signal. This signal is transmitted to a computer system, which processes and displays the score on an electronic scoreboard.
Because this sport is played at high speeds, it is very difficult to determine whether a hit landed on the opponent, who struck first, and whether the hit was in a valid target area.
In the early years of this sport, the scores of the fencers were based on the honor of each participant. A successful touch on the opponent would be proclaimed loudly with “touché”, acknowledging the hit before continuing. Additionally, early fencing also involved referees, who attempted to discern from the sidelines who had made the counterattack or, if both fencers attacked simultaneously, who had struck first.
However, this created a lot of opportunities for cheating, as humans are capable of lying, while referees could never accurately determine every situation.
As an article in the 1896 issue of the Daily Telegraph and Courier stated: “Referees need to have the eyes of a hawk and the agility of a tiger to effectively observe the lightning-fast movements of both fencers.”
Early fencing also had referees.
In the same article, the newspaper reported on a feasible and radical solution. This was the work of some innovative fencing enthusiasts who used a new technology: electricity. This system (known as the Laurent-Pagan scoring device), invented by a fencer referred to as Mr. Little, includes an electrified blade that, when struck against an opponent, completes an electric circuit and produces a ringing sound.
“They connect your weapon (foil, saber, or épée) to the coil system and the scoring system at the club or venue where you are fencing,” explained Coach Michael McTigue from the Northwest Fencing Center in a YouTube video. “They have quite a challenging job since they need to be flexible and move but still stay away from you; they need to be reliable yet lightweight.”
Different types of fencing have different requirements for participants, depending on the target area. Épée was the first type to use the electronic scoring system, as the entire body is a valid target, making the scoring system relatively simple to set up. “Since the entire body is a target in épée, a non-electric fencing mask is used for épée competition“, explains Fencer Tips.
The electronic system ensures that only valid hits are counted, eliminating the subjective element of the referee’s decision. The results are displayed immediately on the electronic scoreboard, reducing match time and increasing the sport’s appeal. This system is uniformly used worldwide, ensuring fairness and transparency for all athletes.
The cable in fencing symbolizes technological advancement in sports.
However, different types of fencing have areas of the body that are not considered targets, meaning that hitting those areas does not count as a valid hit. To address this, conductive metal is woven into the fabric in the target areas.
The electronic scoring system took a long time to be fully adopted. Electric fencing, where both blade and tip hits are allowed, was not popular until the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. But now, when you watch fencing, at least at the competitive level, you will see that everyone competing wears a metal cable.
The cables in fencing are not only an essential part of the equipment but also a symbol of technological progress in sports. They help ensure fairness and accuracy in scoring, enhancing the competitiveness and appeal of the sport. These advancements not only improve the quality of the matches but also promote the development and popularity of fencing worldwide.
Fencing, a sport that requires skill, agility, and high strategy, has a long and rich history. The origins of this sport can be traced back to ancient times when swords were used as tools for hunting, self-defense, and warfare.
During the Middle Ages, fencing became an essential part of a knight’s life. They practiced swordsmanship to defend honor and territory.
By the Renaissance, fencing became popular among the aristocracy and evolved into a form of entertainment. Fencing schools were established, and the first rules were set.
In the 19th century, fencing became more professionally organized and was included as an Olympic sport. Popular types of swords such as foil, saber, and épée were developed.
