Rules for Fencing

HVR Sports   Fencing qer34 1024x285 Rules for Fencing
HVR Sports   Fencing qer34 Rules for Fencing

Contemporary fencing is the word used for modern sport fencing which is very different from the martial use of the sword (also known as western art of combat with the small sword); Sport fencing is also called Olympic fencing which began in the end of the 19th century, with the Italian school having modified the “classical fencing”, and the French school having later refined the Italian system.

Modern fencing uses three weapons, and so is divided respectively into three competitive scenes: foil, sabre (spelt “saber” in the United States) and épée. Most (but not all) competitive fencers choose to specialise in one of these only.

Rules according to International Fencing Federation

Art.1 Candidacies

1.1. The FIE may organize the MASTERS competitions itself.

1.2. But the FIE may also give the organisation of the MASTERS COMP to : – a national federation; – a regional fencing committee (region); – a fencing club; – another recognized institutional structure. Candidatures from clubs or other national entities must have previous agreement of their national federation.

1.3. The candidacy bid (see Annex 1) must be sent to the FIE six (6) month prior to the event. The candidacy bid must also include: – the support of the national federation involved; and – the support of the organizing structure involved.

The FIE Executive Committee will analyse the candidacy at its first meeting following receipt of the bid. Every analysis must include: – a provisional budget; – the technical report of the FIE technical delegate who visited the site; – information about the sponsors of the event.

Art 2. Organization responsibilities

The organization responsibilities are structured as follows:

– the technical organization of the event (or events) is under the responsibility of the Fédération internationale d’escrime, in liaison with the organizing entity (the “organizers”);

– the material organization of the competition is the responsibility of the organizers, upon consultation with the FIE;

– the operation of the event (or events) is the responsibility of the technical directory of the competition (guidelines must be attached to the candidacy bid);

– the promotion and communication of the event are under the responsibility of the organizers. The media plan must be approved by the FIE.

The organizers may negotiate support of private and institutional partners, as long as they do not interfere with FIE statutes and rules.

Art.3 Authorized events for the MASTERS

The events presented at the MASTERS can be as follows:

3.1. Individual events in one or several weapons

– The number of fencers invited to individual events is limited to: between 8 and 16 fencers.

– The host country must have 2 fencers if there are 8 fencers in total, or 4 fencers if there are 16 fencers in total.

– Individual events must be in direct elimination format, without a match for third place.

– The initial order for the direct elimination table must be established according to the latest FIE rankings.

– Normally, there should not be more than two weapons per day (if there are several weapons in this MASTERS), for example men’s sabre and women’s sabre.

– The FIE Executive Committee must approve the date of the MASTERS, based on the FIE calendar.

3.2. Team events in one or several weapons

– The event can regroup 2 or 4 teams.

– The members of a team can be of the same nationality or of various nationalities.

– If more than two teams are participating in the event, the format must be direct elimination, with a match for third place.

– If national teams are competing, the initial seeding of the direct elimination table must follow the updated official FIE team rankings. If international teams are competing, the ranking will be established based on the official FIE individual rankings of the team members, adding the places of each team member. The team with the lowest total will be ranked first.

– The same principle appliesfor individual events, there should not be more than two weapons per day (if there are several weapons in this MASTERS), for example men’s sabre and women’s sabre.

3.3. Individual and team events in one or several weapons

The organizers can plan for individual and team events, in one or several weapons, as long as the principles established in articles 3.1. and 3.2 above are respected.

Art.4. Selection criteria for fencers (and teams) invited to the MASTERS

4.1. General principles for individual events:  The best ranked athletes in the FIE rankings must be invited. If one invited athlete declines the invitation, the next athlete on the rankings must be selected. The same principle applies to the fencers of the organizing country.

4.2. General principles for team events:  The best ranked teams in the FIE rankings must be invited. If one invited team declines the invitation, the next team on the rankings must be selected. The team of the organizing country can (may) be invited automatically.

Art. 5. Selection criteria for referees invited to the MASTERS

5.1. The directoire technique of the competition establishes the required number of referees, based on the number or participants, the number of events and their format.

5.2. The principle of neutrality of the referees must be respected.

5.3. The referees invited must be in the official FIE referees list.

5.4. The organizers may invite national referees, as long as they appear on the FIE list. There cannot be more than 25% of host country referees among the selected referees.

5.5. The designated referees must be approved by the FIE Refereeing Commission.

Art. 6. Generalities regarding the organization of the event

6.1. Officials:

  • The FIE President and at least two (2) members of the FIE Executive Committee;
  • A directoire technique of at least three (3) members;
  • One referee delegate;
  • One medical delegate;
  • One SEMI delegate, in charge of the control of the equipment (as well as the necessary personnel).

6.2. Room and technical installations:

The technical delegate must approve the plan of the room and of the site.

  • The room must be appropriate for the promotion and media coverage of an event of this kind (for example: in a theatre, a commercial centre, an exhibition hall, etc.);
  • An registered software system;
  • A registered accreditation system for national federations, VIPs, etc;
  • FIE homologated material and equipment;
  • Podium for the finals;
  • Result display panel;
  • Spectators seating with a VIP section;
  • Commentator;
  • Adequate sound system;
  • Media section in the stands;
  • Broadcasting of competition results to participants and media;
  • Guarantee of athletes, officials and public security;
  • Medical personnel on site and availability of an ambulance;
  • Support personnel (volunteers);
  • Office supplies: photocopy machine, fax, phone.

6.3. Reimbursement:

The organizer is responsible for all transportation, lodging and meal expenses, for all athletes and officials.

6.4 Doping control

There must be a doping control, in accordance with the FIE anti-doping rules.

Art. 7. Media and Promotion

7.1 Cash prizes must be offered to the athletes.

The amount of the prizes must correspond to the level of the competition, i.e.:

 10 000 Euros for the fencer ranked 1st, 7 000 Euros for the fencer ranked 2nd, and 5 000 Euros for the fencer ranked 3rd;

 15 000 Euros for the team ranked 1st, 10 000 Euros for the team ranked 2nd, and 5 000 Euros for the team ranked 3rd.

7.2 Media and Promotion

  • Guarantee the local and national promotion of the event (posters, advertising, TV and radio spots);
  • Provide electronic format promotion support to the FIE;
  • The broadcasting rights belong to the FIE;
  • Guarantee live or recorded broadcast of the event, including mandatory “news” and “highlights” items;
  • The broadcast program must be available to the FIE after the event.

7.3 Sponsors

  • The sponsors’ logos may appear on all promotion and communication elements or products.
  • A VIP and sponsors lounge must be provided for the whole duration of the Masters.
  • The organizers must ensure that their sponsors are not in conflict with the FIE’s sponsors.
  • 50 VIP accreditations must be given to the FIE.

7.4 Protocol

  • A podium for the distribution of awards
  • Flags and national anthems of the participants
  • Medals for the winners
  • Protocol according to the FIE standards (see FIE Administrative Rules)
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