Fencing at the 1908 Summer Olympics

In the IV Olympic Games in London in 1908 four competitions were held in fencing. This took place in a tent that had been erected at the White City Stadium for protection against bad weather.

Unlike the earlier sweeps there was not only competitions with epee and saber, but with the foil. According to the organizers, the rules of this discipline had developed so differently in the various countries that international competition was not possible. A decision which merely based on the number of hits would be tantamount to a denigration of the sport. Instead, a demonstration competition without scoring took place in the Prince's Galleries in Piccadilly.

Epee individual

Date: July 17 to 24

The competition was attended by 85 fencers from 13 countries. In the first round ( 17th and 18th of July) met in 13 successive groups of five to seven participants. The then remaining 40 fencers were in the second round eight groups of five participants (20 July ). The first two of a group qualified for the semi-finals.

The semi-final on 23 July was played in two groups of eight participants. In each case, the first four were advancing to the finals, which took place on 24 July. The eight finalists were fighting against each other all the time. Crucial for the placement was the number of wins; because of a tie had to decide to place a stinging 2-4.

Epee team

Date: July 20 to 24

A team could consist of up to eight fencers per country were allowed to fight but only four are used. It took nine representative teams with a total of 44 fencers. In the final on 23 July, France has also set against Belgium with 9:7 through. However, did not win the Belgians the silver medal, but the British. The second and third place were in fact determined until July 24; it won the hosts.

Saber individual

Date: July 17 to 24

It took 76 fencers from eleven countries participated in this competition. In the first round ( 17th and 18th of July) met in 13 successive groups of four to seven participants. The then remaining 38 fencers were in the second round eight groups of four or five participants (20 July ). The first two of a group qualified for the semi-finals.

The semi-final on 23 July was played in two groups of eight participants. In each case, the first four were advancing to the final. The eight finalists all fought on July 24, once against each other. Crucial for the placement was the number of wins; to the Olympic victory had to decide for tie a jump-off. The saber fencer from Hungary proved superior. Five of the ten Hungarian participants reached the final and classified among the top six. Only the Böhme of Lobsdorf could prevent a third of the total triumph.

Saber team

Date: July 21 to 24

A team could consist of five fencers per country were allowed to fight but only four are used. It took eight representative teams with a total of 35 fencers. In the final on 23 July, Hungary continued to Bohemia with 9:7 through. Again, the decision was made to place 2 until July 24. Each defeated in the final of Bohemia but refused to meet again, why the silver medal went to Italy.

Olympic champion in fencing

1896 • 1900 • 1904 • 1908 • 1912 • 1920 • 1924 • 1928 • 1932 • 1936 • 1948 • 1952 • 1956 • 1960 • 1964 • 1968 • 1972 • 1976 • 1980 • 1984 • 1988 • 1992 • 1996 • 2000 • 2004 • 2008 • 2012 • 2016

2010 • 2014

Not been discharged

Between 1906 Games

Competition at the Summer Olympics in 1908
Fencing at the Summer Olympics

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