Fourth Google Doodle for Olympic Game London 2012 - ‘Fencing’

This is the Fourth Doodle for the London 2012 Summer Olympics.

Olympic Doodle No. 4 presents "Fencing" (July 30th, 2012). Fencing has been contested at every Summer Olympic Games since the birth of the modern Olympic movement 1896. This year started 105 men and 107 women in 10 events. More about Fencing at the Olympic Games in London

Fencing competitions at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London are happening from 28 July to 5 August at ExCeL Exhibition Centre. Ten events (6 individual, 4 team) are scheduled to be contested. The International Fencing Federation (FIE) pushed for the inclusion of two more team events, but the IOC voted to keep the current format of ten events.

Although sword fighting dates back thousands of years, Fencing as we now understand it really came of age as a sport in the 19th century. A tense, compelling battle of wits and technique, the sport is one of the few to have featured at every modern Olympic Games.

Fencing has been contested at every Summer Olympic Games since the birth of the modern Olympic movement at the 1896 Summer Olympics in Athens. Women’s foil made its Olympic debut in Paris, during the 1924 Olympic Games. There are three forms of Olympicfencing:

• Foil – a light thrusting weapon; the valid target is restricted to the torso; double touches are not allowed.

• Épée – a heavy thrusting weapon; the valid target area covers the entire body; double touches are allowed.

• Sabre – a light cutting and thrusting weapon; the valid target area includes almost everything above the waist (excluding the back of the head and the hands); double touches are not allowed.

Fencing takes place on a piste, 14 metres long and between 1.5m and 2m wide. All 10 medal events on the Fencing programme are run in a knockout format.

Fencing is a fast, tense sport. Fencers must use all their wits and quick thinking to out manoeuvre their opponent, judging the right time and the most effective way to attack.