I have been flitting thru the channels and spent some time watching the men's sabre bouts. I used to fence a bit and it used to be a rather polite and formal sport. There is a wealth of sophisticated electronic scoring equipment (Electronic weapons, metallised jackets and helmets). Thus a hit can be recorded, and does not count if the opponent gets a hit within one second. To this is added video recording with instant replay and a human referee.
Despite this the fencers both wave their arms gamely at the ref whenever there is any sort of hit, rip their helmets off and rush around the piste gurning and punching the air like the worst of Andy Murray. Rather like sad footballers who both wave their arms at the ref whenever there is a hint of an "Incident" on or off the ball.
|
