RIO DE JANEIRO (July 20) – As excitement builds for the Rio Games, the final preparations are being made at the Carioca Arena 3, the venue for Olympic fencing.
Organisers are putting the final touches to the medal podium and the five fencing pistes, which are built on a stage in a cross formation. The central showcase piste will be used for the medal matches.
“It’s all go at the moment,” said Krisztian Kulcsar, the FIE Sport Director. “We have lots of work ahead, but there is no question that we will be ready on time,” he added. “We’re looking forward to a superb competition.”
Construction on the Carioca Arena 3 was finished well ahead of the Games and passed the test event in April with flying colours.
The final weeks leading up to the competition will see the venue “dressed” for the Olympic Games as fencing prepares to play a leading role in “the greatest show on earth.”
The action starts with the women’s individual epee on August 6, the day after the opening ceremony, and runs through August 14 with the men’s team epee, taking in nine days of enthralling competition during which 10 sets of medals will be awarded.
The 10,000-capacity arena in the Barra Olympic Park will stage two fencing sessions each day – the preliminary rounds in the morning and the finals in the afternoon and evening.
Those inspired by the action will be able to have a go themselves at a designated Sport Initiation area.
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