Olympic Fencing...Seriously WTF!?!?

[Jump211]

I just don't get it. I'm trying to watch it right now and have some appreciation for the athletes who worked so hard to reach that level of competition, but it's lame as S**T!

I would never step into a boxing ring to spar with an Olympic level boxer, because I would be seeing stars in about 10 seconds. If you dressed me up in a fencing uniform, I would not hesitate for even a second to step onto an Olympic stage with a world-class fencer and challenge him. Of course I would lose, but the average viewer would probably not be able to tell that I had no idea what I was doing. I could even act like the aggressor while fearing no risk of injury.

The stupid rubbery foil (sword) does absolutely nothing in the way of damage if you get struck by it. Both competitors are completely protected from the sword actually touching their body (except maybe hands). To me, it's the equivalent of watching Olympic pillow fighting. With their hands moving so quick, and the foils bending every which way, I can't even tell who, or how a point was scored. At least in a good pillow fight, you might get knocked on your ass after a good shot.

Wouldn't it be much more of a sport if the protective uniforms were electrified, and making contact with the foil would momentarily electrify you, like being tased. Like getting knocked down in a boxing match and taking a 10-count. If you can't get up in 10 seconds, you're out. I would watch that for sure.

 

[thorn]

the swords are stabbing implements, and if they didn't have the rubber tips, they would actually hurt a lot. The amount of force generated through the sword point is deceptive; it looks all bendy and rubbery, but it's a shank of flexible steel. As it stands, the metal itself has a blunted end beneath a rubber tip. They look fruity as hell, but I took fencing as a P.E. in college, and my perception was always somewhat negative of the things until I started playing with them. There is a solid reason why they wear the protective gear--those things actually *are* dangerous, even though they don't look it on tv.

 

[bass222000]

I agree... GAY

 

[Hayata]

You've obviously never been hit with an old fashioned pillow like grandma used to have.



Growing up my older cousins beat the tar out of me with those heavy things.

 

[TresMonos]

the swords are stabbing implements, and if they didn't have the rubber tips, they would actually hurt a lot. The amount of force generated through the sword point is deceptive; it looks all bendy and rubbery, but it's a shank of flexible steel. As it stands, the metal itself has a blunted end beneath a rubber tip. They look fruity as hell, but I took fencing as a P.E. in college, and my perception was always somewhat negative of the things until I started playing with them. There is a solid reason why they wear the protective gear--those things actually *are* dangerous, even though they don't look it on tv.

Absolutely...think of the foil blade as a flexible ice pick.....this is a puncture weapon, not a slashing one.

 

[Bypass]

 

[TresMonos]

Wouldn't it be much more of a sport if the protective uniforms were electrified, and making contact with the foil would momentarily electrify you, like being tased. Like getting knocked down in a boxing match and taking a 10-count. If you can't get up in 10 seconds, you're out. I would watch that for sure.

Like this? (sort of)

That naturally migrated to this????

 

[10thmountain]

You've obviously never been hit with an old fashioned pillow like grandma used to have.



Growing up my older cousins beat the tar out of me with those heavy things.

LOL.

 

[Leatherhead]

Olympic Pillow Fighting

 

[Al Capone]

bunch of homos