Does Estonia have a fencing team?

[fencing freakster]

Does anyone know if Estonia sends a team or individual athletes to the Olympics??? and in which weapons (Epee, I'd ssume....)
Thanks, FF

[edew]

Estonia has a fencing team. Their ME and WE are quite good. Whether they send a team to the Olympics depends on how good they are to qualify for the Olympics. It's not Estonia's decision (other than to support one that qualifies) so much as the FIE's qualifying path that decides whether an Estonian fencer or team qualifies for the Olympics.

The 2008 Olympics in Beijing will not have a WET nor MFT, so it's possible for the Estonia MET to qualify. I think they're going to have a hard time against Germany, France, Italy, Hungary, Russia, Ukraine, Spain, Venezuela, US, Austria, Australia, China, South Korea, and possibly several other countries that I can't name at the moment. Estonia would be in the middle of the pack, that's for sure.

[fencing freakster]

Can you explain to me a bit more on how individuals qualify?. If I am an Estonain with a fencing son who trains in the US but is a dual citizen what he would need to do to potentially qualifiy someday...2012...2016...??? Does each country send someone for each weapon??? Even if there aren't teams???
Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FF

[downunder]

Can you explain to me a bit more on how individuals qualify?. If I am an Estonain with a fencing son who trains in the US but is a dual citizen what he would need to do to potentially qualifiy someday...2012...2016...??? Does each country send someone for each weapon??? Even if there aren't teams???
Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FF

It would be 'easier' for him to go to the Olympics as an American than as an Estonian.

[erooMynohtnA]

http://www.fencing.net/content/view/487/86/

[HDG]

Are you in contact with Estonia's fencing federation?
Is your son on the FIE points list?

[nahouw]

Can you explain to me a bit more on how individuals qualify?. If I am an Estonain with a fencing son who trains in the US but is a dual citizen what he would need to do to potentially qualifiy someday...2012...2016...??? Does each country send someone for each weapon??? Even if there aren't teams???

If he wants to fence for Estonia, he would be eligible to represent them after 3 years of not competing for the US. So, if you contacted the Estonian Fencing Federation (http://www.vehklemisliit.ee) today and asked them to join their federation, he would be eligible to compete for Estonia starting in 2010. So, the 2012 Olympics is probably out of question. You would then have to find out the Estonian system of accruing points and their selection criteria.

[nahouw]

It would be 'easier' for him to go to the Olympics as an American than as an Estonian.

I agree

[fencing freakster]

Thanks for all of the info! People around this place can be pretty helpful!
Cheers,
FF

[fencerbill]

If he wants to fence for Estonia, he would be eligible to represent them after 3 years of not competing for the US. So, if you contacted the Estonian Fencing Federation (http://www.vehklemisliit.ee) today and asked them to join their federation, he would be eligible to compete for Estonia starting in 2010. So, the 2012 Olympics is probably out of question. You would then have to find out the Estonian system of accruing points and their selection criteria.

I understand that the US has the option of releasing him immediately to fence for Estonia. If they don't choose to, they can't stop him after 3 years.