Fencing at the 1900 Summer Olympics

Lore & Background

The fencing competitions began on Monday, 14 May, with the amateur foil event. Early rounds were judged subjectively, a change from the 3-touch format of four years earlier. 37 of 54 fencers advanced, including some who had nominally lost their bouts, based on judges' assessment of skill. The only non-French fencer to reach the final was Rudolf Brosch of Austria, who finished last. France swept the medals in the amateur foil, masters foil, and masters épée events.

Reader's Guide

The 1900 fencing events were notable for the subjective judging in early rounds, which allowed fencers who lost bouts to advance if judges deemed their skill sufficient. Épée made its Olympic debut, with Ramón Fonst of Cuba winning the amateur gold—Cuba's first Olympic medal. An unusual amateur-master épée competition was held on 15 June, where professional Albert Robert Ayat went undefeated to win gold, while amateurs took the next three spots. The sabre events were more internationally balanced, with fencers from Austria, Hungary, Italy, Russia, Belgium, and France reaching the finals. France won no medals in the masters sabre, as Italians Antonio Conte and Italo Santelli took gold and silver. The competitions ended on 27 June with the masters sabre final.

Did You Know?

• The amateur foil event used subjective judging, allowing some fencers who lost bouts to advance.
• Épée made its Olympic debut at the 1900 Games.
• Ramón Fonst of Cuba won the amateur épée gold, Cuba's first Olympic medal.
• France swept the medals in three events: amateur foil, masters foil, and masters épée.