WHAT IS...
A feature of the Paralympics since their inception in 1960, wheelchair fencing at the Games has been dominated by the home nation, France, which has won 145 medals in the sport (the next most is Italy with 82). Seated on wheelchairs fixed to the floor, the athlete with the shorter arm reach decides the distance between fencers. The aim is to strike the opponent in permitted areas – either the torso in the foil discipline, or anything above the waist in the sabre and epee disciplines. The speed of the sport means scoring is automated by sensors when a hit is registered.
