Anything and Everything about the Junior Olympics

[Britomart]

Ok, so I qualified for the Junior Olympics, simply because I was one of three people that showed up for the qualifiers in my division for Junior Womens Saber. I have only competed in a couple of tournaments, and so I need any and all informations that anybody can give. Even if you think something is common sense about tournaments, I probably don't know it, as the only tournaments I have fenced in were local ones.

One of the questions I have (kind of a stupid one) do you need FIE gear for it, or is that just in international competition?

Also, does all your equipment get checked?

Those are the only specific questions I can think of, but any additional information would be greatly appreciated.

[LUDICROUS]

You won't need FIE gear for it, 350N gear is fine.

From what I've read on the forums, USA national events are obsessive about checking equipment, so I'd say it will be - Both before the competition and on the piste (weight, shims etc on the piste). Make sure it all works before you go, and good luck!

Also, from what I've read, JO's is a pretty damn big event in the USA, so it'll have alot more than your qualifiers did Totally different atmosphere. A), its sabre, b) its womens, prepare for alot of screaming, all day. But I'm very sure you've heard it before, so lets not degenerate into screaming vs non screaming! Everyone there is out to do as well as they can.

[mrbiggs]

Originally Posted by Britomart

I have only competed in a couple of tournaments, and so I need any and all informations that anybody can give. Even if you think something is common sense about tournaments, I probably don't know it, as the only tournaments I have fenced in were local ones.

You might want to hold off on going to JOs. But if you want to go, that's fine.

Originally Posted by Britomart

One of the questions I have (kind of a stupid one) do you need FIE gear for it, or is that just in international competition?

You do not need FIE gear. You are correct; FIE gear is only required for international competition.

Originally Posted by Britomart

Also, does all your equipment get checked?

As a sabre fencer, you will have your mask, lame, bodycords, and glove checked for conductivity. Your mask will also be punch tested to make sure that it's still in good condition. Also, if any of these pieces of equipment violate any rules, they won't be allowed. It's very unlikely that that will happen, however.

Originally Posted by Britomart

Those are the only specific questions I can think of, but any additional information would be greatly appreciated.

Make sure you have your name on your lame or knickers.

[eac]

Don't go to JO's just because you qualified, because the fact that you qualified means nothing. It just means you're able to write your name. If you go, go because you want to start competing nationally. Do this not just with JOs, but with other NACs as well-- for instance, there's a Junior/Div I NAC in Columbus, Ohio in January and a Div II/II NAC in March in Atlanta. The Div II/III might be more productive for you to go to than JOs as a beginning fencer-- you'll have a higher chance of success and probably more fencing.
JO's are (almost-- slightly different format in ways that likely won't effect you) exactly like a Junior/Cadet NAC, so if you aren't going to NACs (see usfencing.org for details) you probably don't want to go to JOs either.

[larkmaj]

As a beginning fencer, especially in WS, Div III in March will be MUCH easier than Junior, especially considering that over half of the top WS on the points list are Juniors. So go if you want the big tournament experience, but I would suggest being ecstatic over every touch you score.

[Capt. Slo-mo]

I would disagree a bit. Brit: if you think you might be interested in dabbling in national level competition, the JOs are a GREAT place to start. Here's why:

1. There are a number of high school WS fencers whose only national event will be the JOs, so you'll have lots of company. Sure, there will be some ladies there who can hand you your head on a stick, but there'll also be a bunch of other equally inexperienced fencers.

2. It's a great introduction to the big time aspects of the sport. The JOs generally have the largest single field of WS fencers all year. You'll get to meet a lot of other WS fencers, and see some very instructive fencing.

3. A handfull of the very top Junior WS fencers will not come to the JOs. Any that are in the middle of the race for the Junior or Senior National Team are more likely to take the JO week off this year, since it's sandwiched between five Senior WS international meets. Two sets of those have less than a week of recovery time available, if the WS fencers choose to go to the JOs as well.

4. It's just plain fun to say: "I went to the Junior Olympics."

5. If you're at the point where you need to buy your own gear, or upgrade the beginner kit you're fencing in now, the JOs are a great place to see lots of vendors and try on lots of different styles and sizes. It's also a good primer for Mom and Dad to see how big their credit card might need to be in the next couple of years....

Go and have fun...it's one of the best fencing events for Cadets and Juniors.

[Phaeton]

This is one of those questions that is yours that you've got to answer with your coach.

Ideally, you should have your entire season planned out so you know what you want to and not want to go to.

The JOs are a great event, and will be easier than any other Cadet/Junior event at a national level. It's still your first national event, and you are going, inevitably, to get slaughtered. This may not be good for you, but if you walk in knowing it and don't let it bring you down too much then you'll probably be fine. Every national level event you'll go to is a chance to watch and learn, and if you want to do that it's great. It's also a great chance to visit the venue city, which I believe this year is in Denver. I have always had an affinity for Denver, and it's a great excuse to go there.

The JOs are an easier event simply because of people like you. There are plenty of people in an event, especially women's sabre, who autoqualify or can qualify in divisions with low skill levels in a particular weapon. They often figure "hell, why not go". This is true only for the beggining of the tournament. Once you leave pools and start hitting your second and third DE you'll realize that your first JO companions have somehow dissapeared....

Div II/III brings its own challenges and won't be easy if you want to head to Atlanta because fencers are a lot more diverse in how the fence due to the range in age....

This is going to be a money sink either way, and you need to decide if it is worth it. You have hotel, air or gas, and food fees on top of any entree fees. It's fair to assume some of your gear is going to fail, and you might end up needing a new lame, manchete, or atleast a few body cords. It can be hard to realize when a lame is dead, and I might reccomend washing it before the event to increase the likelyhood it will pass.

If you want to pay, and don't mind getting crushed on the strip, then go. It could be educational.

[Fencing Mom]

Brit, I agree with Capt. Slo-Mo and Phaeton. If you are willing to accept that you'll probably be crushed, and that it will cost a substantial amount of money, go for it. You'll see fencers from all over the country, some just like you at their first national, some fencers that are more experienced and ambitious. You'll see the way that your weapon is fenced and refereed at the national level - which may be a bit different from the way it is done at your division. The organizers, refs, and other fencers will be patient because of all the newcomers to national tournaments. JO's is always like that, people expect and welcome the newcomers. Every vendor will be there, just about every big name coach and club, the best referees and many of the elite fencers. When you are done fencing, there is nothing better than to walk around and take in all the sites, sounds, and smells (the aroma of two-day-old sweat tempered by a whiff of a venue hotdog! )

If you are from a small division, you probably don't know too many fencers. Mainstream America respects female soccer and basketball players - but fencers? Go to JO's and you'll see so many kindred spirits. If you are determined to fence the best that you can, but not be too upset when you lose, you'll have a great time and you'll have a good picture of what fencing is all about.

[4qtrs]

Originally Posted by Capt. Slo-mo

4. It's just plain fun to say: "I went to the Junior Olympics."

....and don't forget to pick up the tee shirt!

[Britomart]

Thank you everybody for your input. I really appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Capt. Slo-mo

4. It's just plain fun to say: "I went to the Junior Olympics."


Go and have fun...it's one of the best fencing events for Cadets and Juniors.

Yes, this is really the only reason I am going. I know that I am not very good, and that I probably won't win any, or even score very much. I am going because I can! And yes, I will be ecstatic over any points I get, if I get any

[Supermom]

If you have a thick skin, or if you or your parents have lots of spare cash and/or you live within easy traveling distance of Denver, go for it! Especially if you are a cadet fencer... it's a bit tougher to make the junior events, and this may be your best chance of getting to the JO's, unless the division is so small that there are only a handful of junior-level competitors too. Remember that only 80% of the field is advanced after the pool rounds at the JO's, so there is a very strong probability that you will only fence 5 or 6 pool bouts and then it's all over for you.

If you must come from a distance, and if there are other important things you might like to do with the money it will cost to go there, then you might want to get more experience at local and regional competitions before attempting the JO's, which are pretty difficult to do well at.

I have to say, though, that it's usually kind of a thrill for the first-time competitor at such a big event...after you have not done well four or five times, less so!

[downunder]

On a side track... how is the event able to label itself "olympics"? I got the impression that the Olympic movement was very strongly against other events using the word (such as the Gay Olympics, now the Gay Games).

[HDG]

Originally Posted by downunder

On a side track... how is the event able to label itself "olympics"? I got the impression that the Olympic movement was very strongly against other events using the word (such as the Gay Olympics, now the Gay Games).

The name has been used here by the USFA, before that the AFLA and before that (and alongside) the AAU for a long, long, long time -- since well before the IOC was making an issue about the name, and long enough for us to have a legally strong claim. The others are newcomers against whom the IOC is in a better position to assert name rights. Note also that the IOC doesn't get exercised over the Special Olympics.

[Britomart]

Originally Posted by Supermom

Remember that only 80% of the field is advanced after the pool rounds at the JO's, so there is a very strong probability that you will only fence 5 or 6 pool bouts and then it's all over for you.

Hmm...is this how it always is? And about how many fencers are there usually in Junior Womens Saber?

[rocky]

There were 126 fencers in Junior Women's Sabre last year.

[sleepyweasle]

Originally Posted by Britomart

Hmm...is this how it always is? And about how many fencers are there usually in Junior Womens Saber?

At the last Junior Olympics in Hartford, CT there were 126 competitors in the WS junior event with only 100 or so advancing to the round of DE's. At least half of these ladies are Nationally ranked fencers and/or actively fencing on college teams. Most of the rest have at least regional or high school fencing experience. This is how it is. Always.

That said - it's still a great experience as long as you go into it understanding what it's all about and you have the money to burn.

[downunder]

Originally Posted by HDG

Note also that the IOC doesn't get exercised over the Special Olympics.

The Special Olympics is the only organisation actually permitted by the IOC to use 'Olympics' in its title, so that doesn't prove anything.

[bigdawg2121]

Well Junior Olympic events have existed for decades and decades here in the US in pretty much any sport one can think of. If the IOC was gonna complain they've probably let the statute of limitations run out. However, I'd probably hazard to guess that since the Junior Olympic movement was initially aimed at producing future Olympic athletes it my might have been approved...might have even been sponsored by the USOC originally.

[mrbiggs]

Originally Posted by downunder

The Special Olympics is the only organisation actually permitted by the IOC to use 'Olympics' in its title, so that doesn't prove anything.

We haven't been sued yet, which proves that we're doing OK.

[KD5MDK]

Originally Posted by LUDICROUS

You won't need FIE gear for it, 350N gear is fine.

350N gear is not required either, only that it be robust and in good condition.

For sabre, your mask, lame, glove or manchette, body cords and mask cords will be checked by the armory. In addition, your referee should inspect your uniform and verify the presence of underarm protector and breast protector.